Topic relevant selected content from the highest rated entries, typeset,... and shipped.
Topic relevant selected content from the highest rated entries, typeset, printed and shipped. Combine the advantages of up-to-date and in-depth knowledge with the convenience of printed books. A portion of the proceeds of each book will be donated to the Wikimedia Foundation to support their mission: to empower and engage people around the world to collect and develop educational content under a free license or in the public domain, and to disseminate it effectively and globally. The content within this book was generated collaboratively by volunteers. Please be advised that nothing found here has necessarily been reviewed by people with the expertise required to provide you with complete, accurate or reliable information. Some information in this book maybe misleading or simply wrong. The publisher does not guarantee the validity of the information found here. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial, or risk management) please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area. Sources, licenses and contributors of the articles and images are listed in the section entitled “References”. Parts of the books may be licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. A copy of this license is included in the section entitled “GNU Free Documentation License” All used third-party trademarks belong to their respective owners. Contents Articles Paul Rudd 1 Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers 7 Clueless (film) 14 Romeo + Juliet 19 Overnight Delivery 24 The Object of My Affection 27 200 Cigarettes 30 The Cider House Rules (film) 33 The Great Gatsby (2000 film) 37 Wet Hot American Summer 38 The Shape of Things 42 Two Days 45 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy 46 P.S. 52 Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie 55 The Baxter 57 The 40-Year-Old Virgin 60 The Oh in Ohio 65 Diggers (film) 67 Night at the Museum 69 Reno 911!: Miami 74 I Could Never Be Your Woman 78 The Ex (2007 film) 81 Knocked Up 85 The Ten 94 Over Her Dead Body 97 Forgetting Sarah Marshall 100 Role Models 106 I Love You, Man 110 Monsters vs. Aliens 117 Year One (film) 126 Dinner for Schmucks 130 How Do You Know 135 Our Idiot Brother 138 Bridesmaids (2011 film) 144 Wanderlust (2012 film) 151 The Perks of Being a Wallflower (film) 154 This Is Forty 157 Sisters (TV series) 159 Wild Oats (TV series) 167 Clueless (TV series) 168 Friends 172 Stella (TV series) 192 Robot Chicken 197 The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show 203 Hard Knocks (TV series) 205 Little Britain USA 209 Delocated 215 Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! 218 References Article Sources and Contributors 223 Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors 231 Article Licenses License 232 Paul Rudd 1 Paul Rudd Paul Rudd Rudd at Hollywood Life magazine's 8th Annual Breakthrough Awards, December 2007 Born Paul Stephen Rudd April 6, 1969 Passaic, New Jersey, U.S. Occupation Actor, screenwriter, producer Years active 1989–present Spouse Julie Yaeger (m. 2003–present) Paul Stephen Rudd (born April 6, 1969) is an American actor, comedian and screenwriter. He has primarily appeared in comedies, and is known for his roles in the films Clueless, Wet Hot American Summer, Anchorman, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Dinner for Schmucks, The Object of My Affection, Role Models, I Love You, Man, and Our Idiot Brother. In television, he appeared on the NBC sitcom Friends, playing Mike Hannigan, Phoebe Buffay's boyfriend and later husband. Early life Rudd was born in Passaic, New Jersey.[1] His parents, both originally from London (England), were Jewish, and were descended from immigrants from Russia and Poland;[2] [3] the family's original surname, "Rudnitzky", was changed by his grandfather to "Rudd".[4] [5] Rudd had a bar mitzvah.[6] His father, Michael, was a historical tour guide who was formerly the vice president of World Airways, while his mother, Gloria, was a sales manager at the television station KSMO-TV.[7] [8] When he was ten, Rudd's family moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where he was raised; his family also spent three years living in Anaheim, California, because of his father's occupation.[9] [10] [11] He attended high school at Shawnee Mission West and college at the University of Kansas.[12] [13] He spent three months studying Jacobean drama at the British American Drama Academy based in Oxford, U.K.[14] [15] Paul Rudd 2 Career Rudd made his breakout performance in the 1995 film Clueless, which turned him into a minor teen idol. Additional early-career credits include Wet Hot American Summer, Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers, The Cider House Rules, William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet, and The Object of My Affection. He also garnered recognition with a recurring role on the television sitcom Friends as Mike Hannigan, who married Phoebe Buffay. Rudd's Broadway acting credits include The Last Night of Ballyhoo (1997), Twelfth Night (1998), and Three Days of Rain (2006). He guest-starred as a has-been 1990s rock star, Desmond Fellows, on the television series, Veronica Mars, in an episode titled "Debasement Tapes". He voiced the audiobook recordings of John Hodgman's books The Areas of My Expertise and More Information Than You Require. In 2006 he appeared in several episodes of Reno 911! as "Guy Gerricault" (pronounced "jericho"), the coach of a lamaze class, and portrayed a drug lord in the film Reno 911!: Miami. Rudd became a full-fledged comedy star with his roles in Judd Apatow pictures The 40-Year-Old Virgin (directed by Apatow) and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (produced by Apatow). In 2007 he starred as frustrated husband Pete in Knocked Up, his third collaboration with Apatow and Seth Rogen. That year he also starred in indie favorite The Oh in Ohio and The Ten, which reunited him with David Wain and Michael Showalter. The former film was a box-office and critical disappointment as was his next starring vehicle, Over Her Dead Body with Eva Longoria. He bounced back with a memorable supporting role as Kunu (Hawaiian for "Chuck"), the drug-addled surf instructor in Nicholas Stoller's Forgetting Sarah Marshall which also starred Jason Segel and was produced by Apatow. The film was a hit, as was his next comedy Role Models, where he and co-star Seann William Scott portrayed energy-drink salesmen forced to perform community service in a child mentoring program. Rudd also cameoed in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Year One and Night at the Museum. In 2009, Rudd he appeared with Jason Segel in I Love You Man. He lent his voice to the star-studded Dreamworks computer-animated hit movie Monsters Vs. Aliens. In 2010 he reunited with Steve Carell for the first time since Knocked Up, The 40 Year Old Virgin, and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy for the Jay Roach-directed comedy Dinner for Schmucks, which also featured Zach Galifinakis and Ron Livingston. Rudd (right) with I Love You, Man co-stars Jason Segel and Rashida Jones at the premiere in March 2009 Rudd has become one of the most popular and marketable stars of Judd Apatow's films and others in the same vein, starring often with other Apatow regulars like Seth Rogen (four films), Jonah Hill (three films), Leslie Mann (three films), Kristen Wiig (three films), Jason Segel (three films), Steve Carell (four films), Elizabeth Banks (five films), and less noticeably Joe Lo Truglio (five films). Running gags on television As part of a running gag during his appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and Conan, Rudd has brought a clip from the film Mac and Me, where the wheelchair-using Eric (Jade Calegory) flies off a cliff while Mac watches on, instead of showing clips from the actual film he is there to promote.[16] [17] He also has appeared on stage for Conan O'Brien's live tour. Personal life In 2003, Rudd married his girlfriend of five years, Julie Yaeger; they have a son, Jack Sullivan, and a daughter, Darby, and live in Manhattan, New York. Rudd frequently travels to Overland Park, Kansas, where he went to high school.[18] He is a fan of Major League Baseball's Kansas City Royals and National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, for whom he narrated the 2007 HBO special Hard Knocks. Paul Rudd 3 Filmography Film Year 1995 Title Role Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers Tommy Doyle Clueless Josh Romeo + Juliet Dave Paris The Size of Watermelons Alex 1997 The Locusts Earl 1998 Overnight Delivery Wyatt Trips The Object of My Affection George Hanson 200 Cigarettes Kevin The Cider House Rules Wally Worthington Gen Y Cops Ian Curtis The Great Gatsby Nick Carraway Wet Hot American Summer Andy Reaching Normal Kenneth The Château Graham Granville The Shape of Things Adam Sorenson Two Days Paul Miller House Hunting Daniel 1996 1999 2000 2001 2003 2004 Notes as Paul Stephen Rudd TV Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Brian Fantana P.S. Sammy Silverstein Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie Brian Fantana 2005 2006 2007 2008 The Baxter Dan Abbott The 40-Year-Old Virgin David Tennis, Anyone...? Lance Rockwood The Oh in Ohio Jack Chase Diggers Hunt Night at the Museum Don Reno 911: Miami Ethan the Drug lord I Could Never Be Your Woman Adam Pearl The Ex Leon Knocked Up Pete The Ten Jeff Reigert Also Producer Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story John Lennon Uncredited Cameo Over Her Dead Body Dr. Henry Mills Forgetting Sarah Marshall Chuck or "Kunu" Role Models Danny Donahue Also Writer Paul Rudd 4 2009 2010 2011 2012 I Love You, Man Peter Klaven Monsters vs. Aliens Derek Voice Only Year One Abel Uncredited Cameo Stalker Billy Phillips Dinner for Schmucks Tim Conrad How Do You Know George Madison Our Idiot Brother Ned Stalker II: Billy Begins Billy Phillips (William B. Phillipson) Bridesmaids Dave Uncredited DVD Cameo Wanderlust George Producer, Post-Production Casting By Himself [19] Post-Production The Perks of Being a Wallflower Bill [20] Post-production This Is Forty (Knocked Up Spin-Off) Pete [21] Filming Television Year Title Role Notes 1992–1995 Sisters Kirby Quimby Philby Recurring guest star 1994 Wild Oats Brian Grant Series regular 1996 Clueless Sonny Guest star, episode: "I Got You Babe" 2000 Deadline Zander Price Guest star, episode: "Lovers and Madmen" Strangers with Candy Brent Brooks Guest star, episode: "The Last Temptation of Blank" 2002–2004 Friends Mike Hannigan Recurring guest star 18 episodes 2005 Stella Greg Guest star, episode: "Office Party" 2006 Cheap Seats Dave Penders Guest star, episode: "1996 Spelling Bee: Part 2" Robot Chicken Jasper the Douchebag Ghost, Ang Guest star, episode: "Book of Corrine" Lee 2006–2007 Reno 911! Guy Gerricault Recurring guest star 2007 The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show Antagonistic Passenger Guest star, episode: "Gold Watch" Veronica Mars Desmond Fellows Guest star, episode: "Debasement Tapes" Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas Himself Narrator Little Britain USA French president Guest Star Saturday Night Live Himself Host (November 15) Delocated Himself Guest Star (February 13) Saturday Night Live Himself Cameo (May 16) City Chiefs 2008 2009 Paul Rudd 2010 2011 5 Saturday Night Live Himself Cameo (March 6) Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Himself, Celery Man, Oyster, Tayne Guest star, episode: "Man Milk" The Simpsons Homer's Therapist, Dr. Zander Guest star, season 22 Saturday Night Live Himself Host (December 11) Saturday Night Live Himself Cameo (November 19) References [1] "Paul Rudd interview: He's happy to have a job – any job" (http:/ / www. nj. com/ entertainment/ tv/ index. ssf/ 2009/ 03/ behind_paul_rudd_theres_a_seri. html). Nj.com. 2009-03-22. . Retrieved 2011-07-30. [2] "Movies that Bang! Hiller Movie Reviews: The Shape of Things (2003)" (http:/ / www. bangitout. com/ reviews50. html). Bangitout.com. . Retrieved 30 July 2011. [3] Ginott, Jamie H. (17 April 1998). "An `Object' of Affection: Talking with Paul Rudd" (http:/ / www. thecrimson. com/ article/ 1998/ 4/ 17/ an-object-of-affection-talking-with/ ). Thecrimson.com. . Retrieved 30 July 2011. [4] Vancheri, Barb (30 August 2007). "Paul Rudd fondly re-members black-and-gold fever" (http:/ / www. post-gazette. com/ pg/ 07243/ 813538-42. stm). Pittsburgh Post Gazette. . Retrieved 1 September 2007. [5] De Vries, Hilary (1 September 2002). "Simply Rudd: Actor Paul Rudd may finally be ready to be the Next Big Thing... if he can just quit being an artist" (http:/ / www. highbeam. com/ doc/ 1G1-91657864. html). HighBeam Research. . Retrieved 10 December 2007. [6] Wizon, Tod. "Alfred Uhry by Paul Rudd" (http:/ / bombsite. com/ issues/ 60/ articles/ 2088). Bombsite.com. . Retrieved 30 July 2011. [7] Weiner, Caren (26 April 1998). "FILM; Suddenly the Object Of Much Attention" (http:/ / query. nytimes. com/ gst/ fullpage. html?res=9F04E7D6163FF935A15757C0A96E958260). The New York Times. . Retrieved 10 December 2007. [8] Garron, Barry (23 October 1994). "Actor takes his career in stride For Paul Rudd, the cancellation of 'Wild Oats is merely a bend in the road" (http:/ / nl. newsbank. com/ nl-search/ we/ Archives?p_product=KC& p_theme=kc& p_action=search& p_maxdocs=200& p_topdoc=1& p_text_direct-0=0EAF40FAE443789D& p_field_direct-0=document_id& p_perpage=10& p_sort=YMD_date:D& s_trackval=GooglePM). The Kansas City Star. . Retrieved 10 November 2008. [9] Karpel, Ari (25 May 2007). "Spotlight on Paul Rudd: Comedy's go-to guy improvises his next career move after ''Knocked Up''" (http:/ / www. ew. com/ ew/ article/ 0,,20040158,00. html). Ew.com. . Retrieved 30 July 2011. [10] Mills, Nancy (26 July 2010). "Paul Rudd's offbeat 'Dinner' date" (http:/ / readingeagle. com/ article. aspx?id=236952). Reading Eagle. . Retrieved 3 July 2010. [11] http:/ / www. playboy. com/ magazine/ playboy-interview-paul-rudd/ 2 [12] "Paul Rudd – Yahoo! TV" (http:/ / tv. yahoo. com/ paul-rudd/ contributor/ 28510/ bio). Tv.yahoo.com. 6 April 1969. . Retrieved 30 July 2011. [13] Rosner, Sean (11 December 2008). "Question & answer with Paul Rudd" (http:/ / www. kansan. com/ news/ 2008/ dec/ 11/ question_answer_paul_rudd/ ?jayplay). Kansan.com. . Retrieved 30 July 2011. [14] Heath, Chris (May 2009). "You Know You're Paul Rudd When.." (http:/ / www. gq. com/ entertainment/ celebrities/ 200904/ paul-rudd-oxford-elvis-costello). GQ. . Retrieved 2 June 2010. [15] "Alumni : Alumni" (http:/ / www. badaonline. com/ 127/ alumni/ alumni. html). Badaonline.com. . Retrieved 30 July 2011. [16] "MAC AND ME (1988) – infamous wheelchair scene" (http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=K5le9sYdYkM). YouTube. . Retrieved 30 July 2011. [17] Paul Rudd on Conan promoting Role Models (http:/ / www. youtube. com/ watch?v=ij9A7ad7si4& feature=related) [18] "Famous Kansas Citians: Actor Paul Rudd" (http:/ / www. visitkc. com/ things-to-do/ entertainment/ article-paul-rudd/ index. aspx). Visitkc.com. 16 April 2010. . Retrieved 30 July 2011. [19] Casting By (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt1293751/ ) at the Internet Movie Database [20] The Perks of Being a Wallflower (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt1659337/ ) at the Internet Movie Database [21] This Is Forty (http:/ / www. imdb. com/ title/ tt1758830/ ) at the Internet Movie Database Paul Rudd External links • Paul Rudd (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm748620/) at the Internet Movie Database • Paul Rudd (http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=58595) at the Internet Broadway Database • Paul Rudd (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12373448) on National Public Radio 6 Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers 7 Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers Theatrical release poster Directed by Joe Chappelle Produced by Moustapha Akkad Malek Akkad Paul Freeman Written by Daniel Farrands Starring Donald Pleasence Paul Stephen Rudd Marianne Hagan Mitch Ryan Music by Alan Howarth Cinematography Billy Dickson Editing by Randolph K. Bricker Distributed by Dimension Films Release date(s) September 29, 1995 (United States) Running time 88 minutes (Theatrical) 94 minutes (Producer's cut) 89 minutes (Director's cut) Country United States Language English Budget $5 million Box office $15,116,634 Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers is a 1995 American horror film and the sixth installment in the Halloween series. Directed by Joe Chappelle from a screenplay by Daniel Farrands, the plot involves the "Curse of Thorn", a mystical symbol first shown in Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers and revealed in the film to be the source of Michael Myers' evil.[1] The cast includes Paul Rudd (in his first film appearance) as Tommy Doyle, a returning character from the original Halloween film, and Donald Pleasence reprising his final role as protagonist Dr. Sam Loomis. Jamie Lloyd's appearance in the beginning of the film ties up loose ends to Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers. Curse opened to a respectable $7.3 million on September 29, 1995, coming in second to New Line's seminal serial killer thriller Seven.[2] Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers and the Thorn plotline would be ignored in succeeding installments, 1998's Halloween H20: 20 Years Later and 2002's Halloween: Resurrection. However, the 2001 Halloween comic book series published by Chaos Comics — and based on Farrands' concept for the eighth Halloween film — attempts to bridge the continuity between The Curse of Michael Myers and Halloween H20. The sixth installment is known for its controversial behind-the-scenes history, suffering from re-shoots in production and numerous cuts and arrangements made in the editing room; the workprint of the film, with 43 minutes of alternate footage including a different ending, was eventually discovered by fans of the series. This version, dubbed Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers "The Producer's Cut" (as it was the original intended version of the film) developed a strong cult following, with bootleg DVD copies sold on eBay.[3] Plot Six years after the events of Halloween 5, it is revealed that the Man in Black seen throughout the previous movie who had rescued Michael from the Haddonfield Police Station had also abducted his niece Jamie Lloyd as well. At this point, a now 15 year old Jamie (J.C. Brandy) has been impregnated. The baby is born on October 30, 1995 and is then carried away by the Man in Black who appears to be a leader of a Druidistic-like cult. Later that night, Mary (Susan Swift), a nurse, helps Jamie escape with her baby she warns is in harms way. Michael (George P. Wilbur), in pursuit of Jamie and her newborn, kills the nurse. Jamie and the baby flee in a stolen pickup of a drunk motorist (who quickly becomes Michael's next victim) and hides at a dark and deserted bus station. She calls into a local radio station for help, only to be ignored by the DJ Barry Simms (Leo Geter) who is doing a broadcast on the Haddonfield murders. Michael nearly corners her, but she escapes only to later be run off the road by Michael. Beaten and exhausted, she makes her way inside of an old barn where Michael pushes her into a corn thresher, only to find that Jamie does not have the baby. Meanwhile, Tommy Doyle (Paul Stephen Rudd), the child Laurie Strode babysat in the first film, has his eye on a family who has moved into the old Myers house across the street from the boarding house where he lives. The boarding house is run by a mysterious old woman named Mrs. Blankenship (Janice Knickrehm). For years, Tommy has been obsessed with finding the truth behind the murderous motives of Michael Myers. After hearing Jamie begging for help on a local radio show, Tommy finds her baby at the bus station, takes the child into his care and names him Steven. Tommy runs into Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) at the Haddonfield Memorial Hospital and tells him of a family living in the old Myers house when the two are convinced Michael has indeed come back to Haddonfield. The people living in the Myers house are relatives of the Strode family who had adopted Laurie. While Kara Strode (Marianne Hagan), her six-year-old son, Danny (Devin Gardner), and Kara's teenage brother, Tim (Keith Bogart), are at school, Dr. Loomis visits their mother Debra Strode (Kim Darby) and reveals to her that she is living in Michael's home. After he leaves, Debra calls her husband John (Bradford English) who is at work and tries to convince him to leave Haddonfield but is then killed by Michael. Later, Kara returns home to find Danny in his room with Tommy, whom he had met while on his way home. The three of them go to Tommy's house across the street, where Tommy reveals to Kara that he believes Michael was selected by a cult of people to be under the influence of an ancient rune symbol called Thorn; that druid astronomers claimed originated from a constellation of stars that appear from time to time on Halloween night. It is an ancient Druid curse that represented a demon that spread sickness and caused destruction. To prevent this, a child from each tribe was chosen to inherit the curse and would offer a blood sacrifice of its next of kin on the night of Samhain (Halloween). The curse explains why Michael is trying to kill his family and also accounts for his superhuman abilities. While Tommy goes out to look for Dr. Loomis at a party at the Haddonfield Junior College, Mrs. Blankenship reveals to Kara (after talking to Danny) that she was babysitting Michael Myers when he killed his sister many years ago, and that Danny hears the "voice" telling him to kill just like Michael Myers heard when she was babysitting him the night he killed Judith. This indicates that he is to be the next child to come into the influence of Thorn. Meanwhile, Michael kills Barry Simms, John Strode, and then Tim and his girlfriend Beth (Mariah O'Brien). After Tommy returns to the boarding house with Dr. Loomis, the "Man in Black" finally reveals himself as Dr. Wynn (Mitchell Ryan) from the original Halloween. After a terrifying showdown, he and his cult of people who appear to be the "Cult of Thorn" take Kara, Danny, Steven, and Michael back to Smith's Grove Sanitarium, with Tommy and Dr. Loomis drugged for the time being. When they awake, they follow the cult to Smith's Grove where Loomis confronts Dr. Wynn. Wynn credits him for recognizing the evil he corrupted inside Michael, and implies how Jamie's baby represents a new cycle of it. After inviting Loomis to join in on his conspiracy, Loomis calls Wynn out 8 Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers on his evil scheme before being knocked unconscious by a staff member. Meanwhile, Tommy finds Kara locked in a room in the maximum security ward. After a brief confrontation with Michael, they continue on to find Danny and Steven. In the hallway they see a team of surgeons standing outside the operating room, discussing what they think is a possible scientific breakthrough procedure they are about to work on as a result of a genetic experiment they just conducted with a unique genetic makeup. Dr. Wynn joins them and they all walk into the room, and Tommy and Kara soon sneak into the adjoining room where they find the children. They watch the doctors begin to perform the procedure, but Michael soon interrupts it, walking in with a surgical machete and slaughters them all (though Dr. Wynn's fate remains unclear in this sequence). Tommy, Kara, and the kids run with Michael in hot pursuit until they hide in a high-tech medical laboratory. Inside the lab, Kara notices tanks containing human fetuses inside each one of them with a chart of runes and scientific letter codes; both connected together by the Thorn symbol. As it concludes to be though vaguely, Dr. Wynn has been trying to create the curse in it's purest form to have control over; using Michael's DNA and possibly women of the institution through IVF experiments. Michael breaks into the room where Tommy injects him with tranquilizers of a corrosive and beats him into unconsciousness with a lead pipe. As Dr. Loomis, Tommy, Kara, Danny, and Steven are about to escape, Loomis tells them to go on without him because he has "a little business" to attend to. Back inside the building, Michael's mask is found lying on the floor of the lab room as the screams of Dr. Loomis can be heard in the background. Cast • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Donald Pleasence as Dr. Sam Loomis Paul Stephen Rudd as Tommy Doyle Marianne Hagan as Kara Strode George P. Wilbur as Michael Myers Mitchell Ryan as Dr. Terence Wynn Kim Darby as Debra Strode Bradford English as John Strode Keith Bogart as Tim Strode J.C. Brandy as Jamie Lloyd Carruthers Mariah O'Brien as Beth Leo Geter as Barry Simms Devin Gardner as Danny Strode Susan Swift as Mary Janice Knickrehm as Mrs. Blankenship 9 Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers 10 Production In 1990, screenwriter, and long-time Halloween fan, Daniel Farrands, had set out to write the sixth entry in the Halloween series. Farrands gave his horror movie scripts to the producer of Halloween 5, Ramsey Thomas; impressed by his writing, Thomas set a meeting for Farrands with executive producer Moustapha Akkad. Farrands described the meeting: The Runic symbol of Thorn, which is a major theme in the film. “ I spent weeks preparing for the meeting and came in with a huge notebook filled with HALLOWEEN research – I had the entire series laid out in a timeline, a bio of every character, a “family tree” of the Myers and Strode clans, as well as all of the research I had compiled about the runic symbol (Thorn) that was briefly shown in “Halloween 5.” I then laid out how I thought all of this might be explored in HALLOWEEN [4] 6. ” Although the producers at the time had already sought to make a sixth Halloween film, a series of complicated legal battles ensued which delayed plans for a sequel; eventually Miramax Films (via its Dimension Films division) bought the rights to the Halloween franchise. Writing In 1994, Akkad called Daniel Farrands for him to write the sixth Halloween film, after several screenplays from writers were deemed insufficient. Farrands has said his initial intent for Halloween 6 was to "bridge the later films (4-5) in the series to the earlier films (1-2) while at the same time taking the story into new territory so that the series could expand for future installments."[5] Daniel Farrands had written several drafts to the film. His final draft, originally titled Halloween 666, went through eleven different drafts. The writer and filmmakers' intentions with the script were to ultimately unveil what had kept Michael Myers alive, and his reasons for killing. They decided upon using the "Curse of Thorn"-angle, which is the concept that Myers had been under the influence of an ancient Celtic curse that drove him to murder all family members in his bloodline; once this task was completed, the curse would be passed onto another young child. Casting Donald Pleasence returned as Dr. Loomis, in his last performance; according to Farrands, Pleasence "loved the script for 6, however, and told me that he felt it was the best story since the original." Danielle Harris was asked to reprise her role as Jamie Lloyd, but she and Dimension could not come to an agreement over her salary and ultimately did not want to pay Danielle more than she received in Halloween 4. Harris herself admitted to "not caring for the script" and that upon meeting with director Joe Chappelle, did not see "eye to eye" on things. She also stated that she did not like that Jamie would be killed in the beginning of the film, because her character was no longer important to the Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers series.[6] She ultimately opted out of reprising the role, and J. C. Brandy was cast instead. The producers wanted Brian Andrews to reprise his role as Tommy Doyle. However, without an agent, they could not get in contact with Andrews. The leading female role, Kara, was given to Marianne Hagan; however, Hagan has since stated that Miramax did not favor her, and made aesthetic criticisms about her being "too thin" and her chin being "too pointy".[6] For the role of Dr. Terence Wynn, Mitchell Ryan was cast; Farrands originally urged the producers to cast Christopher Lee, having had the veteran horror actor in mind when writing the character. Denise Richards also auditioned for the part of Beth, but the studio passed on her, giving the role to Mariah O'Brien. Stunt performer George P. Wilbur, who portrayed Michael in the fourth installment, reprises his role as the silent unstoppable killer in the film. Filming Fred Walton (director of When a Stranger Calls and April Fool's Day) was originally attached to direct Halloween 6 but dropped out.[7] Cult movie director Jeff Burr also expressed interest in directing the film at one point. Filming started in October 1994 and was shot mostly in Salt Lake City, Utah; the city was experiencing an early winter at the time which proved troublesome for the production company. Producer Paul Freeman and director Chappelle reportedly rewrote the ending on-set, even from shot to shot as production deadlines loomed large. Freeman also sent the crew home when crucial scenes needed to be shot; deleting scripted scenes indiscriminately, rewrote dialogue and action sequences; and took it upon himself to direct second-unit shot as well supervised the post-production phase of the original cut and made a series of blunders that resulted in Miramax taking control of the film, ordering reshoots.[6] In early 1995, after filming and editing was completed, Halloween 6 was given a test screening which, as described by actress Marianne Hagan, "consisted primarily of 14-year-old boys."[6] During the Q & A afterward, one of them expressed great displeasure at the ending of the film, which entailed a Celtic ritual and the passing on of the Curse of Thorn to the Dr. Loomis character. As a result of the audience's disapproval toward the film's finale, the movie was rushed back into production, this time without Donald Pleasence, who died on February 2, 1995. The film's ending was excised from the original cut that had been shown in the test screenings, and an entire new ending was shot that nearly dropped the film's "Curse of Thorn" concept entirely. Additionally, over twenty minutes of other footage was removed from the film during the re-editing process, creating several plot holes in the final cut. Some violent footage was also edited out for fear of an NC-17 rating. This including some extra seconds of Jamie being impaled on the drills, with more blood pouring from her mouth and extra closeups of the drills going through her body. The other major edited scene involved Michael ramming the doctor's head through the bars in the hospital until his head is gorily mashed through and pulps of his skull hit the floor. This footage is restored in the "Director's Cut". Music The original music score is composed by long-time Halloween contributor Alan Howarth, his work in the series dating back to his collaboration with John Carpenter on Halloween II. However, Howarth's score was redone when the film went through reshoots. A soundtrack album was released by Varese Sarabande Records, and is an unusual combination of the music featured in the original cut of the film, as well as that of the final theatrical cut. The music of Alabama based rock band, Brother Cane, was featured throughout the movie. The music came from their 1995 release Seeds on Virgin Records. The album's hit single "And Fools Shine On" can be heard when Kara, Tim and Beth arrive at school in their car. The song is also heard during the closing credits. Three other Brother Cane songs (all from the Seeds album) are featured in the film: "Hung on a Rope", "20/20 Faith", and "Horses & Needles". 11 Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers "Disconnected" by the group I Found God is also featured in the film. Release An earlier teaser trailer of the film employed the title Halloween 666: The Origin of Michael Myers, which according to Daniel Farrands, came before an official title had been decided, and that the trailer title was a combination of an earlier script titled The Origin of Michael Myers by another writer, and Farrands' original script titled Halloween 666. At one point, executive producer Moustapha Akkad asked Farrands for a title, who suggested The Curse of Michael Myers due to the troubled production. Although Farrands was half-joking, Akkad took the name to heart and decided upon it. Farrands also adds that this coincidentally made the subtitles similar to those in The Pink Panther films, which also used Return, Revenge, and Curse subtitles.[8] Box office Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers was released on September 29, 1995 in the United States, and brought in a $7,308,529 opening weekend gross, coming in second to serial killer thriller Se7en, being the first film in the series to beat Halloween II's opening weekend gross. The film went on to gross a total of $15,116,634 at the U.S. box office, from an estimated $5 million budget. Critical reception It received poor reviews from film critics. Daniel Kimmel of Variety called the film "tired" and "run-of-the-mill",[9] while Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle said the film lacked suspense and said that "not even the presence of the late, gloriously histrionic Donald Pleasence can liven things up".[10] In general, most critics had negative reactions to the film. It currently holds a 7% 'Rotten' rating on the film review aggregating site Rotten Tomatoes. Screenwriter Daniel Farrands generally dislikes the film, due to its deviations from his original script. Although Farrands thinks both versions are poor, he considers the Producer's Cut to be the superior version. Home media The film was first released for home media on VHS on October 7, 1997. A DVD followed on October 10, 2000. In January 2010, the film was released for the first time on Blu-ray in Canada.[11] The film was released on Blu-ray and again on DVD in the United States on May 10, 2011. Home entertainment distributors Echo Bridge Entertainment are planning an official release of The Producer's Cut on Blu-ray. No release date has been confirmed as of yet, it is known that two cuts will be available on the Blu-ray release, The Producer's Cut and possibly either the theatrical or director's cut.[12] Alternate versions Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers is notorious among Halloween fans for having multiple versions. The Producer's Cut is the most well known, however a Director's Cut also exists with most of the footage cut for the R-rating restored. As of 2011, the theatrical version is the only version commercially available while the Director and Producer's cuts only exist as low-quality bootlegs. Producer's Cut Copies of the original version of the film (known as the "Producer's Cut"), without the changed ending, have long been floating around in bootleg/collectors' circles. In addition to featuring a different ending which was intended to keep Donald Pleasence's character in the films, it also features longer scenes in several parts of the movie, as well as different music at times. Major plot points differ between the two cuts. For example, in the Producer's Cut, Jamie Lloyd is not killed by Michael's attack in the barn; she is wounded only to be killed later on in the film by the "Man 12 Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers in Black" after having a dream about how she was imprisoned in Smith's Grove and impregnated with Michael's child. There is also a flashback to Halloween 5 that shows Jamie and Michael kidnapped by the "Man in Black". On the Halloween: 25 Years of Terror DVD, it was stated that Dimension was trying to plan an official release of the Producer's Cut. Fangoria reported that the Producer's Cut may get an official release. However, Disney, who owns the rights to the film; decided not to give an official release. Fans continue to sign online petitions asking for an official release of the Producer's Cut, but there has been no official release for any of the alternate versions. A few select scenes from the Producer's Cut can be seen on the television version of the film. The scenes were re-inserted to increase the running time of the film (originally a scant 88 minutes). References [1] Nicholas Rogers, Halloween: From Pagan Ritual to Party Night (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002), 110. [2] http:/ / boxofficemojo. com/ weekend/ chart/ ?yr=1995& wknd=39& p=. htm [3] "Arrow In The Head Review: Halloween 6, The Producer's Cut" (http:/ / www. joblo. com/ arrow/ reviews. php?id=407). JoBlo.com. . Retrieved 1 September 2011. [4] Interviews with Daniel Farrands "Daniel Farrands Interview: Halloween 6" (http:/ / www. halloweenmovies. com/ h6retro_interview. html). HalloweenMovies.com. . [5] "Interview With Daniel Farrands" (http:/ / www. webcitation. org/ query?url=http:/ / www. geocities. com/ Hollywood/ Hills/ 2260/ int-farrands. html?200724& date=2009-10-25+ 08:05:48). 73 Miles to Haddonfield Fansite. Archived from the original (http:/ / www. geocities. com/ Hollywood/ Hills/ 2260/ int-farrands. html?200724) on 2009-10-25. . Retrieved 29 September 2009. [6] Danielle Harris, Marianne Hagan (2006). Halloween: 25 Years Later (A Documentary) (DVD). Anchor Bay Entertainment. [7] "Fright Exclusive Interview: Daniel Farrands" (http:/ / www. iconsoffright. com/ IV_Dan. htm). Icons of Fright. June 2005. . Retrieved 29 September 2009. [8] Dan Farrands interview (http:/ / www. iconsoffright. com/ IV_Dan. htm) [9] Kimmel, Daniel (29 September 1995). "Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers" (http:/ / www. variety. com/ review/ VE1117910137. html?categoryid=31& cs=1& p=0). Variety. . Retrieved 29 September 2009. [10] LaSalle, Mick (2 October 2005). "FILM REVIEW: Latest 'Halloween' is No Treat" (http:/ / www. sfgate. com/ cgi-bin/ article. cgi?f=/ c/ a/ 1995/ 10/ 02/ DD40921. DTL). San Francisco Chronicle. . Retrieved 29 September 2009. [11] "Halloween 6, 7 and 8 Available on Blu-ray in Canada, without the inclusion of the Producer's Cut or any of the deleted scenes" (http:/ / www. dreadcentral. com/ news/ 35467/ halloween-6-7-and-8-available-blu-ray-canada). DreadCentral. . [12] "Halloween 666: The Curse of Michael Myers Blu-ray The Producer's Cut" (http:/ / www. blu-ray. com/ movies/ Halloween-666-The-Curse-of-Michael-Myers-Blu-ray/ 32768). blu-ray.com. . Retrieved 30 November, 2011. External links • Official website (http://www.halloweenmovies.com) • Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113253/) at the Internet Movie Database • Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (http://www.allrovi.com/movies/movie/v135827) at AllRovi • Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=halloween6.htm) at Box Office Mojo • Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ halloween_6_the_curse_of_michael_myers/) at Rotten Tomatoes 13 Clueless (film) 14 Clueless (film) Clueless Theatrical release poster Directed by Amy Heckerling Produced by Scott Rudin Robert Lawrence Twink Caplan Adam Schroeder Barry M. Berg Written by Amy Heckerling Starring Alicia Silverstone Stacey Dash Brittany Murphy Paul Rudd Donald Faison Breckin Meyer Dan Hedaya Music by David Kitay Cinematography Bill Pope Editing by Debra Chiate Distributed by Paramount Pictures Release date(s) July 19, 1995 Running time 97 minutes Country United States Language English Spanish Budget $20,000,000 Box office $56,631,572 Clueless is a 1995 American comedy film loosely based on Jane Austen's 1815 novel, Emma. It is set in Beverly Hills and a nearby high school. It was written and directed by Amy Heckerling and produced by Scott Rudin. The film was released in the United States on July 19, 1995. The film stars Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, and Brittany Murphy. The film spun off a television show and a series of books. Plot Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) is a good-natured but superficial girl who is attractive, popular, and extremely wealthy. At a few months shy of sixteen, she has risen to the top of the high school social scene and is happy and self-assured in her insular, fashion-obsessed world. She lives in a Beverly Hills mansion with her father (Dan Hedaya), a ferocious $500-an-hour litigator; her mother has long since died, having succumbed to complications while undergoing liposuction. Cher's best friend is Dionne Davenport (Stacey Dash), who is also rich, pretty, and hip, and understands what it's like to be envied. Clueless (film) Among the few people to find much fault with Cher is Josh Lucas (Paul Rudd), her socially conscious ex-stepbrother who visits during a break from college. Josh and Cher spar continually but without malice; she refers to him as "granola breath" and mocks his scruffy idealism, while he teases her for being selfish, vain, and superficial, and says that her only direction in life is "toward the mall." Illustrating that Cher's selfishness is usually innocent and relatively harmless, Cher plays matchmaker for two lonely, nerdy, hard-grading teachers, Mr. Hall (Wallace Shawn) and Miss Geist (Twink Caplan). She achieves her original purpose – to make them relax their grading standards so she can renegotiate a bad report card – but when she sees their newfound happiness, she realizes she likes doing good deeds. Cher now decides that the ultimate way she can give back to the community would be to "adopt" a "tragically unhip" new girl at school, Tai Frasier (Brittany Murphy). Cher and Dionne give Tai a makeover and initiate her into the mysteries of popularity. Cher also tries to extinguish the strong mutual attraction between Tai and Travis (Breckin Meyer), an amiable skateboarding slacker, and to steer her toward Elton (Jeremy Sisto), a rich snob. Her second matchmaking scheme backfires when Elton rejects Tai and makes a play for Cher. Matters worsen, however, when Cher's "project" works a bit too well and Tai's popularity begins to surpass Cher's, especially after Tai has a "near-death" adventure at the mall that helps to skyrocket her to fame at school. Other classmates, including Dionne and Cher's longtime rival, Amber (Elisa Donovan), soon gravitate toward Tai, and Cher finds herself demoted from queen to courtier at high school. Meanwhile, Cher has a couple of romantic mishaps with boys at school. The first involves Elton; the next concerns Christian (Justin Walker), a handsome classmate with great fashion sense who turns out to be gay. Cher naively and repeatedly fails to recognize Christian's homosexual tendencies, and tries unsuccessfully to seduce him while they are alone one night watching Spartacus. The next day, Dionne's boyfriend, Murray (Donald Faison), roars with laughter, which makes Cher's mistake clear to her at last. Events reach a crisis after Cher fails her driver's test and can't "renegotiate" the result. When Cher goes home, crushed, Tai confides that she's taken a fancy to Josh and wants Cher to help her "get" him. Cher says she doesn't think Josh is right for her, and they quarrel. Cher, left all alone, begins to think she has created a monster in her own image. Feeling "totally clueless", she reflects on her priorities and her repeated failures to understand or appreciate the people in her life. Most of all, she keeps thinking about Josh and Tai, and wonders why she cares so much. After much soul-searching (which includes a one-woman shopping spree around various Beverly Hills boutiques), Cher discovers she has fallen in love with Josh. She begins making awkward but sincere efforts to live a more useful life, even captaining the school's Pismo Beach disaster relief effort. A scene near the end of the film finds Cher and Josh stumbling over how to admit their mutual feelings for each other, finally culminating in a tender kiss on the stairs of her home. The film has a happy Hollywood ending for Cher: Mr. Hall and Miss Geist get married; her friendships with Tai and Dionne are reaffirmed; Tai and Travis are in love; and, in Josh's arms, she too has now finally found love. Cast of characters The film's central characters are: • Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz: A spoiled but sweet Valley Girl type – though she actually lives in Beverly Hills. Living in a mansion, waited on by servants, and flaunting her wealth with fashion, she's the undisputed queen of Bronson Alcott High School. Cher is also tough and clever, like her father Mel. Cher convinces two of her teachers that each is a secret admirer of the other, negotiating her way from a C+ average to an A- average. Cher doesn’t have a regular boyfriend and she describes finding a boyfriend in high school as "being as useless as looking for meaning in a Pauly Shore movie". Her surname was "Hamilton" on her report card, as was her father's when he tosses aside a piece of mail. 15 Clueless (film) • Stacey Dash as Dionne Davenport: Cher’s best friend. Both she and Cher are rich and beautiful, but caring. Cher uses Dionne as her number one fashion critic. Dionne and boyfriend Murray (played by Donald Faison) have an extremely tumultuous relationship and are often quarreling (an inversion of the idealized relationship between Austen's Isabella and John Knightley). They undergo spats about Murray shaving his head and Dionne finding “cheap polyester hair” in the backseat of his car, but they also bond over Dionne’s first driving experience on the freeway, inspiring a wistful admiration in Cher. • Brittany Murphy as Tai Fraiser: The ugly duckling turned into the beautiful swan. Cher and Dionne decide to give her a makeover. With a change of hair, makeup and clothes, Tai gains confidence and a sense of style. Originally Tai fell for skater Travis (Breckin Meyer), but Cher tried to set up Tai with “it boy” Elton to boost her popularity. After a “near-death experience” at the mall, Tai obtains an overly confident attitude that ultimately poses a threat to Cher's social status. By the end of the film, Tai gains back Cher's respect and friendship and begins to date Travis. This was Murphy's first major film role. • Paul Rudd as Josh Lucas: Cher's ex-stepbrother, as Mel had been married to Josh's mother five years earlier. Josh has ambitions to be a lawyer (his focus is environmental law) and throughout the film routinely visits Cher and her father at their house. Josh has a residence close to his classes, but claims that being with Mel is a "great learning experience". Throughout the film, Josh teases Cher, but at the same time shows his caring and concern for her. • Dan Hedaya as Mel Horowitz: This litigator is always working on big cases in Beverly Hills, where he lives with his teenage daughter Cher and her stepbrother Josh. Despite being divorced from Josh's mother, he tells his daughter "You divorce wives, not children" and is very protective over Cher, telling Christian: "If anything happens to my daughter, I've got a .45 and a shovel. I doubt anybody would miss you." • Elisa Donovan as Amber Mariens: A popular spoiled brat, but is despised by Cher and Dionne. She is in constant competition with Cher when it comes to style, popularity, and boys. Cher dubs her a "Monet" (just like the painting, "from far away it's okay, but up close it's a big old mess.") • Justin Walker as Christian Stovitz: Cher's love interest, a boy whose parents are divorced; he alternates semesters in Chicago and Beverly Hills (Cher believes this "is a travesty on the part of the legal profession"). To catch Christian's attention, Cher sends herself flowers, candies, and love notes. Christian finally attends a party with Cher. Cher plans a big night to finally "do it" with Christian, but he ignores her advances. When later discussing the events with Dionne and Murray, it becomes evident that Christian might be gay. Despite this, Cher and Christian remain good friends and shopping buddies. Other characters • • • • • • Wallace Shawn as Mr. Wendell Hall Twink Caplan as Ms. Geist Julie Brown as Coach Millie Stoeger Breckin Meyer as Travis Birkenstock Jeremy Sisto as Elton Tiscia Nicole Bilderback as Summer Production The film had a 40-day filming schedule. Producers sat in on classes at Beverly Hills High School to get a feel for the student culture. Herb Hall, the real drama teacher at Beverly Hills High School, played the principal in the film. Many scenes were filmed in Costa Mesa and Beverly Hills with most neighborhood scenes filmed in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scenes depicting the high school campus, including the tennis courts, the outdoor cafeteria, the quad, and various classrooms were filmed at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Silverstone stated that she "always felt connected to [Murphy] as [they] shared a very special experience in [their] lives together".[1] Following Murphy's death, Silverstone reported in an interview: "I loved working with Brittany. 16 Clueless (film) She was so talented, so warm, and so sweet."[1] Home media The first DVD release was on October 19, 1999; the special features only included 2 theatrical trailers. The film was put in many other teen films, including She's the Man, Mean Girls, and Save the Last Dance. Special "Whatever!" edition A special Whatever! edition DVD was released on August 30, 2005. The DVD features featurettes and cast interviews, which were all used to celebrate the film's 10-year anniversary. The features on the DVD included: • • • • The Class of '95 – A look at the cast Creative Writing – Amy Heckerling talks about the script Fashion 101 – How filmmakers invented the trendsetting style of Clueless Language Arts – The director and cast members give facts on the groundbreaking slang, and how Clueless revived the Valspeak slang • Suck and Blow – How to play the game depicted in the Sun Valley party scene • Driver's Ed • We're History – Stories from cast and crew of Clueless • Two theatrical trailers Reception The film became a surprise sleeper hit of 1995, grossing well over $11 million on its opening weekend #2 behind Apollo 13, and it eventually grossed $55 million during its theatrical run. It was the 32nd highest-grossing film of 1995 and brought the then-largely unknown actress Alicia Silverstone to national and international attention. In 2008, Entertainment Weekly selected Clueless as one of the "New Classics", a list of 100 released between 1983 and 2008,[2] Clueless was ranked 42nd.[3] In 2008 Entertainment Weekly named it the 19th best comedy of the past 25 years.[4] American Film Institute recognition: • AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs - Nominated[5] • AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes: • "As if!" - Nominated[6] Soundtrack 1. "Kids in America" (The Muffs) – 3:18 2. "Shake Some Action" (David Lowery) – 4:25 3. "The Ghost in You" (Counting Crows) – 3:30 4. "Here" (Squirmel Mix) (Luscious Jackson) – 3:33 5. "All the Young Dudes" (World Party) – 4:00 6. "Fake Plastic Trees [Acoustic Version]" (Radiohead) – 4:45 7. "Change" (Lightning Seeds) – 4:01 8. "Need You Around" (Smoking Popes) – 3:42 9. "Mullet Head" (Beastie Boys) – 2:53 10. "Where'd You Go?" (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones) – 3:16 11. "Rollin' With My Homies" (Coolio) – 4:06 12. "Alright" (Supergrass) – 3:01 13. "My Forgotten Favorite" (Velocity Girl) – 3:49 17 Clueless (film) 14. "Supermodel" (Jill Sobule) – 3:07 Adaptations Spin-off The following year, the producers decided to create a spinoff television series which followed the continuing adventures of Cher and her friends. Several cast members from the film went on to star in the TV program, with the notable exceptions of Alicia Silverstone (who went on to sign a film deal with Columbia-TriStar worth $10 million) and Paul Rudd. Silverstone was replaced in the series with actress Rachel Blanchard. • • • • • • • Stacey Dash reprised her role of Dionne. Donald Faison reprised his role of Murray. Elisa Donovan reprised as Amber. Michael Lerner (1st season) and Doug Sheehan replaced Dan Hedaya as Mel. David Lascher replaced Paul Rudd as Josh. Heather Gottlieb replaced Brittany Murphy as Tai. Teachers Mr. Hall, Ms. Geist, and Coach Stoeger (played by their respective actors) appeared in the series, but Coach Stoeger's last name is changed to "Diemer". Books A collection of books was also published after the release of the film by Simon Spotlight Entertainment publishing company from 1995-1999. These books were published as paperbacks and aimed at young adult readers. References [1] "Alicia Silverstone: I Hope Brittany Murphy Is at Peace" (http:/ / www. people. com/ people/ article/ 0,,20332103,00. html?xid=rss-fullcontent). People Magazine. December 20, 2009. . Retrieved 2009-12-20. [2] "The New Classics: Movies" (http:/ / www. ew. com/ ew/ article/ 0,,20207076_20207387_20207063,00. html). Entertainment Weekly. Time. 2008-06-27. . Retrieved 2009-07-03. [3] "Clueless, Alicia Silverstone, ... | 100 New Movie Classics: No. 50-26" (http:/ / www. ew. com/ ew/ gallery/ 0,,20207076_20207079_20206941_8,00. html). Entertainment Weekly. Time. . Retrieved 2009-07-03. [4] "Clueless, Alicia Silverstone, ... | The Comedy 25: The Funniest Movies of the Past 25 Years" (http:/ / www. ew. com/ ew/ gallery/ 0,,20221235_7,00. html). Entertainment Weekly. Time. . Retrieved 2009-07-03. [5] AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs Nominees (http:/ / www. afi. com/ Docs/ 100Years/ laughs500. pdf) [6] AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes Nominees (http:/ / www. afi. com/ Docs/ 100Years/ quotes400. pdf) External links • • • • • Official website (http://www.cluelessondvd.com) Clueless (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112697/) at the Internet Movie Database Clueless (http://www.allrovi.com/movies/movie/v134935) at AllRovi Clueless (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=clueless.htm) at Box Office Mojo Clueless (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/clueless/) at Rotten Tomatoes 18 Romeo + Juliet 19 Romeo + Juliet William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet Theatrical release poster Directed by Baz Luhrmann Produced by Baz Luhrmann Gabriella Martinelli Screenplay by Craig Pearce Baz Luhrmann Based on Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Starring Leonardo DiCaprio Claire Danes Brian Dennehy John Leguizamo Pete Postlethwaite Paul Sorvino Diane Venora Music by Nellee Hooper Marius de Vries (Composers) Craig Armstrong (Composer, orchestrator, and conductor) Cinematography Donald M. McAlpine Editing by Jill Bilcock Distributed by 20th Century Fox Release date(s) November 1, 1996 Running time 120 minutes Country United States Language English Budget $14.5 million Box office $147,554,999 William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet is a 1996 film adaptation of William Shakespeare's romantic tragedy of the same name. It was directed by Australian Baz Luhrmann and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the leading roles. The film is an abridged modernization of Shakespeare's play. While it retains the original Shakespearean dialogue, the Montagues and the Capulets are represented as warring business empires and swords are replaced by guns (manufactured by 'Sword'). Some of the names were also changed. Lord and Lady Montague and Lord and Lady Capulet were given first names (as opposed to the Shakespeare original where their first names are never mentioned), Friar Lawrence became Father Lawrence, and Prince Escalus was renamed Captain Prince. Romeo + Juliet Plot Set in modern day, in the city of Verona Beach, the Capulets and the Montagues are arch-rivals. The animosity of the older generation—Fulgencio (Paul Sorvino) & Gloria Capulet (Diane Venora) and Ted (Brian Dennehy) & Caroline Montague (Christina Pickles)—is felt by their younger relatives. While stopping for gas, the Montague boys led by Benvolio (Dash Mihok), Romeo's cousin, come face to face with the Capulet boys led by Tybalt (John Leguizamo), Juliet's cousin. A gunfight ensues between Benvolio and Tybalt, setting fire to the gas station and creating chaos in the city. The Chief of Police, Captain Prince (Vondie Curtis-Hall), reprimands the boys, as well as Fulgencio and Ted. He warns them that if such behavior continues, their lives "shall pay the forfeit of the peace." Caroline expresses her worry over her son, Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio), who has been depressed. Benvolio talks to his cousin and learns that Romeo is in love, but the object of his affection, Rosaline, does not love him. Dave Paris (Paul Rudd), son of the Governor and nominated "Bachelor of the Year", meets with Fulgencio to discuss marrying Fulgencio's daughter, Juliet (Claire Danes), although Fulgencio believes her too young to wed. Nevertheless, he invites Paris to a party he is hosting that night. Gloria tries convincing Juliet to accept Paris' proposal, but she is not persuaded. Meanwhile, at Sycamore Grove, the Montague boys meet their friend, Mercutio (Harold Perrineau), who has gotten them tickets to the Capulet party. Romeo takes an ecstasy pill Mercutio gives him and they proceed to the Capulet mansion. The effects of the drug and the party overwhelm Romeo, who goes to the restroom. While admiring an elaborate aquarium inside, he spots Juliet on the other side just as her Nurse (Miriam Margolyes) ushers her off to dance. Tybalt spots Romeo and vows to kill him for invading his family's home, but Fulgencio stops him, afraid he will make a scene. Meanwhile, Romeo and Juliet sneak into an elevator and kiss. The Nurse, however, spots them when the doors open and drags Juliet away, revealing Romeo’s identity as a Montague. At the same time, Romeo realizes Juliet is a Capulet. Romeo is pulled from the party by Mercutio, but Romeo manages to sneak back to the mansion, hiding under Juliet’s balcony. Juliet emerges into the yard, not knowing he is there and proclaims her love for him before Romeo sneaks up behind her. Juliet is horrified that he risked death to return, but Romeo tells her he does not care whether he is caught. Knowing her Nurse is looking for her, Juliet tells him that if he sends word by the following day, she will be his. Romeo visits Father Lawrence (Pete Postlethwaite), telling him he wants to marry Juliet. He agrees to marry the pair. Romeo passes the word onto Juliet’s Nurse and the lovers are married that afternoon, with the Nurse and Romeo's cousin Balthasar (Jesse Bradford) as witnesses. In the streets, Tybalt encounters Mercutio and their respective gangs just as Romeo arrives. Romeo attempts to make peace, but Tybalt assaults him. Mercutio intervenes and batters Tybalt, about to shoot Tybalt when Romeo stops him. Tybalt slashes Mercutio with a shard of glass, killing him, but not before Mercutio curses the warring houses. Angry that Mercutio, neither a Capulet nor Montague, has been murdered, Romeo kills Tybalt. Prince banishes Romeo from the city on pain of death. Romeo, hiding with Father Lawrence, claims he would rather die than be banished. The Nurse arrives and tells Romeo that Juliet is waiting for him. At the Capulet mansion Juliet prays, horrified by what has happened. When Romeo climbs over her balcony, she kisses him and they have sex. Meanwhile, Fulgencio decides Juliet will marry Paris. The next morning, Romeo narrowly escapes in time as Juliet's mother arrives and tells her she has been promised to Paris. She refuses to marry, so her father threatens to disown her and throw her onto the streets. Her mother and Nurse insist it would be in her best interest to marry Paris. Faced with these possibilities, Juliet sees Father Lawrence, imploring him to help her and threatening to commit suicide. The Priest proposes she fake death instead and be put in the Capulet vault to awaken 24 hours later. Romeo will be told of the plot, sneak into the vault and once reunited, the two can travel to Mantua to begin their new life together. He gives her the poison necessary to make her seem dead. After saying goodnight to her mother, Juliet drinks the potion. She is found in the morning, declared dead and placed in the Capulet vault. Balthasar learns Juliet is dead and tells Romeo, who was not home when the messenger arrived to tell him of the plan. 20 Romeo + Juliet 21 Devastated, Romeo returns to Verona, where he buys poison. Father Lawrence learns that Romeo has no idea Juliet is alive. Romeo enters the church where Juliet lies. Juliet awakens as Romeo takes the poison. The two kiss before Romeo dies. Juliet picks up Romeo's handgun and shoots herself in the head. The following morning the two lovers are discovered in each other's arms. Prince condemns both families whose feuding led to such a tragedy. Coroners take the bodies away as crowds of onlookers gather as both families unite and make peace. Cast The House of Montague The House of Capulet Others • • Brian Dennehy as Ted Montague Christina Pickles as Caroline Montague • • Paul Sorvino as Fulgencio Capulet Diane Venora as Gloria Capulet • • Harold Perrineau as Mercutio Escalus Pete Postlethwaite as Father Lawrence • • Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo Montague • Dash Mihok as Benvolio Montague • • Jesse Bradford as Balthasar Montague Claire Danes as Juliet Capulet John Leguizamo as Tybalt Capulet Vincent Laresca as Abra Capulet • • • Paul Rudd as Dave Paris Vondie Curtis-Hall as Captain Prince M. Emmet Walsh as Apothecary Zak Orth as Gregory Montague Jamie Kennedy as Sampson Montague Carlos Martín Manzo Otálora as Petruchio Capulet Miriam Margolyes as Nurse • • • • • Production While some parts of the film were shot in Miami, most of the film was shot in Mexico City and Veracruz. For instance, the Capulet mansion was set at Chapultepec Castle while the ballroom was built on Stage One of Churubusco Studios; and the church is Immaculate Heart of Mary in the Del Valle neighborhood.[1] Casting Natalie Portman had been chosen for the role of Juliet, but after production began, it was felt that the footage looked like DiCaprio was "molesting" her.[2] Eventually, Luhrmann agreed that the age difference between the two actors was too great. Filming was halted to find another actress for the part. Reception The film grossed USD$147,554,998 worldwide at the box office[3] on a US$14.5 million budget. The film premiered November 1, 1996 in the United States and Canada in 1,276 theaters and grossed $11.1 million its opening weekend, ranking #1 at the box office. It went on to gross $46.3 million in the United States and Canada.[4] Critics gave the film generally positive reviews. According to the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 70% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 53 reviews.[5] However, Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times disliked the film, giving it 2 stars and saying, "This production was a very bad idea ... I have never seen anything remotely approaching the mess that the new punk version of Romeo & Juliet makes of Shakespeare's tragedy." Ebert wrote that Pete Postlethwaite and Miriam Margolyes were "the only actors in the film who seem completely at home" and said, "In one grand but doomed gesture, writer-director Baz Luhrmann has made a film that (a) will dismay any lover of Shakespeare, and (b) bore anyone lured into the theater by promise of gang wars, MTV-style."[6] James Berardinelli, a critic of Shakespeare plays adapted into film writes, "Ultimately, no matter how many innovative and unconventional flourishes it applies, the success of any adaptation of a Shakespeare play is determined by two factors: the competence of the director and the ability of the main cast members. Luhrmann, Danes, and DiCaprio place this Romeo and Juliet in capable hands."[7] Leonardo DiCaprio won Favorite Actor and Claire Danes won Favorite Actress in a Romance at the 1997 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards.[8] At the 1997 MTV Movie Awards, Danes won Best Female Performance. DiCaprio was nominated for Best Male Performance, and DiCaprio and Danes were both nominated for Best Kiss and Best On-Screen Duo.[8] At the 51st BAFTA Film Awards, director Baz Luhrmann won Best Direction.
© Copyright 2024