Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt’s ‘Inglourious Basterds’ Becomes Quentin Tarantino’s Highest-Grossing Film

BrianTT — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:12:24 -0600

CHICAGO – The Weinstein Company (QTC) announced that Quentin Tarantino’s recent film “Inglourious Basterds” passed “Pulp Fiction” at the box office and is now his highest grossing film ever. “Basterds” has now grossed more than $108 million in North American box office sales since the film was released on August 21, 2009.

Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) and Sgt. Donny Donowitz (Eli Roth) in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.
Photo credit: Francois Duhamel/TWC

“Pulp Fiction” made $107,966,120 in its North American release. “Inglourious Basterds” is a huge international success for both TWC and its partner, Universal Pictures. The filmed debuted at #1 in the US and all over the world on August 21, 2009.

“We have been Quentin’s biggest fans since the beginning. It was extremely gratifying to see ‘Inglourious Basterds’ put up such huge numbers. It is a kick ass film from a director who always keeps me and audiences on their toes,” said Harvey Weinstein in response to the new benchmark.

Weinstein is crediting the success of the film to an innovative marketing plan. The film took advantage of Twitter and other popular social networking sites in a direct fashion, which involved using Twitter in the film’s LA Premiere. “It was great working with Biz Stone at Twitter on ‘Inglourious.’ It took the campaign to another level,” says Weinstein.

The film is set during World War II where a group of Jewish-American solders known as “The Basterds” were chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. They soon come across a French-Jewish woman who runs a movie theater in Paris that is targeted by the soldiers.

The Weinstein Company and Universal Pictures co-financed and co-presented the film with a single-pot worldwide 50/50 deal. Lawrence Bender, A Band Apart, Zehnte Babelsberg Film, and GmbH Production produced “Inglourious Basterds”. The film was shot at Studio Babelsberg and on location in Berlin, Saxony and Paris.

Domestic grosses for other Tarantino-directed films include $2 million for “Reservoir Dogs” (1992), $40 million for “Jackie Brown” (1997), $71 million for “Kill Bill, Vol. 1” (2003), $66 million for “Kill Bill, Vol. 2 (2004), and $25 million for “Grindhouse” (2007).

By ANGIE RENTMEESTER
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com

Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Inglourious Basterds’ With Brad Pitt Lives Up to Expectations

BrianTT — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:06:40 -0600

CHICAGO – What truly distinguishes Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” from the cookie-cutter marketplace also makes its impact incredibly difficult to put into words. It’s a film that’s impossible to pin down - a thriller, drama, comedy, action film, and a slice of revisionist history played as modern revenge fantasy. And it’s a total blast.

Rating: 4.5/5.0

The man who directed “Pulp Fiction,” “Reservoir Dogs,” and “Kill Bill,” has made another near-masterpiece that will likely be his most divisive and controversial film, one of the few from this season that you can expect to hear arguments about in coffee houses and bars. Some will find QT’s latest way-too-talky, about an hour too long, and even offensive in its subject matter. Others will embrace a few of the most remarkable performances of the year, a masterful technical accomplishment, and a film that could have only come from the unique mind of one of the best directors of the last twenty years. Tarantino has done it again.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Inglourious Basterds” in our reviews section.

The ads may (incorrectly) make “Basterds” look like a big summer action movie, but it’s much more of a dialogue-driven film about the power of reputation and propaganda. The film, told in chapters, opens with the two characters who will provide the true through-line for the story - Shosanna Dreyfus (played later by Melanie Laurent) and Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) - in arguably the best scene of the year in any film.

The rest of “Basterds” is about how the life of Shosanna, now the manager of a movie theater scheduled to show Nazi propaganda, and that of Landa will intersect again by way of a few crazy Americans (including Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, and BJ Novak), a British double agent (Michael Fassbender), a German actress (Diane Kruger), and an audience filled with the leadership of the Third Reich.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Inglourious Basterds” review.

‘Inglourious Basterds’ stars Brad Pitt, Melanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger, Daniel Bruhl, and Til Schweiger. It was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It opens on August 21st, 2009. It is rated R.

Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) and Sgt. Donny Donowitz (Eli Roth) in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.
Photo credit: Francois Duhamel/TWC

Interview: ‘Inglourious Basterds’ Mastermind Quentin Tarantino Does Chicago

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:13:35 -0600

CHICAGO – Venerated writer and Hollywood director Quentin Tarantino has no shame in admitting he’s a basterd. In fact, he’s deeply proud of it.

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Tarantino charmed a packed Chicago crowd of onlookers and the press for the Aug. 18, 2009 red-carpet premiere of his newly controversial Nazi-killing film “Inglourious Basterds” inside AMC River East in downtown Chicago.

Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino of “Pulp Fiction” fame, “Inglourious Basterds” is a piece of bravura filmmaking that stars Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth (the director of “Hostel” and “Hostel: Part II”), Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger and Daniel Brühl.

During the seemingly 2.490 seconds he spoke with this HollywoodChicago.com critic in a well-lit and sweaty interview on the “Inglourious Basterds” red carpet, Tarantino unsurprisingly but emphatically professed his love for The Weinstein Company (his production company for the film along with Universal Pictures) and in working with the Harvey and Bob Weinstein namesakes.

“I’ve had no issues in working with the Weinsteins. They’re ma boyz!,” Tarantino exclaimed both with anticipated media training but also with genuine indebtedness to the brotherly duo. He added: “They’re coming back in a big way.”

Writer and director Quentin Tarantino poses for the HollywoodChicago.com lens in this exclusive,
off-the-red-carpet portrait with his career achievement award on Aug. 18, 2009 at the summer gala
for the 45th-annual Chicago International Film Festival premiere of his new film “Inglourious Basterds”.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Professional critics nationwide have already lauded the film, which opens on Friday, and have awarded it a certified fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

When asked about his respect for the modern-day film critic, Tarantino said: “I like reading good film criticism. If I think they’re off base and they just reject my aesthetic, that’s one thing. But if they actually have something thoughtful to say one way or another, that’s good food for thought.”

“Inglourious Basterds” takes place in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. A group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds” and led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) rise to fame to percolate fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and violently killing Nazis almost like sport.

But the script didn’t come easily nor did it manifest quickly for Tarantino. He actually started penning “Inglourious Basterds” prior to “Kill Bill: Vol. 1” in 2003 and couldn’t put his finger on an ending. The Basterds got put on hold for that Uma Thurman, Bill-killing film.

Tarantino worked on the “Inglourious Basterds” script for almost a decade. He says he’s not yet sure what he has created and he’ll need time for the dust to settle in order to figure it out. He added: “I need at least three years of distance to really know exactly what I’ve done and how it ranked. I love it right now, but it’s also the one I’ve seen the least.”

Often imitated and never exactly duplicated, Tarantino knows a professional copycat is the highest form of flattery. And he enjoys it: “My films have created a subgenre. Every time they say something is a ‘Tarantino-like film,’ it’s always a crime film. … I don’t try to be different or offensive. I might [be different or offensive] very effortlessly, but I don’t try.”

Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt, right) and Sgt. Donny Donowitz (Eli Roth, left) in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds”.
Photo credit: Francois Duhamel, The Weinstein Company

As for his stay in Chicago, he says he’s most interested in the city’s pizza and the impressions of his latest project from local moviegoers. Tarantino said: “I had some pizza. I’ve been hearing about Chicago deep-dish pizza my whole life. My big thing here, though, is about watching the movie with the Chicago audience and doing a Q&A session afterward.”

What’s next? Of course, those are beans he won’t spill: “I’m not sure what’s next. Right now it’s all about this. When this movie is officially in the past, then I can think about what’s next. … I love this film because I did it. I think it’s damn good writing.”

Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, “Inglourious Basterds” stars Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger and Daniel Brühl. “Inglourious Basterds” opens everywhere on Aug. 21, 2009. The film is rated “R” for strong graphic violence, language and brief sexuality. Its running time is 153 minutes.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Exclusive Portrait: Director Quentin Tarantino Walks Chicago Red Carpet For ‘Inglourious Basterds’ Premiere

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:38:15 -0600

CHICAGO – Writer and director Quentin Tarantino posed with his new career achievement award for the HollywoodChicago.com lens on Aug. 18, 2009 at the summer gala for the 45th-annual Chicago International Film Festival premiere of his new film “Inglourious Basterds”.

Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino of “Pulp Fiction” fame, “Inglourious Basterds” stars Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth (the director of “Hostel” and “Hostel: Part II”), Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger and Daniel Brühl.

The film opens everywhere on Aug. 21, 2009. Our interview with Quentin Tarantino on “Inglourious Basterds” can be read here. Our exclusive portrait of Quentin Tarantino can be found below.

Writer and director Quentin Tarantino poses with his career achievement award for the
HollywoodChicago.com lens on Aug. 18, 2009 at the summer gala for the 45th-annual
Chicago International Film Festival premiere of his new film “Inglourious Basterds”.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Round Up, July 22, 2009: ‘12 Monkeys,’ ‘The Unborn’

BrianTT — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:54:09 -0600

CHICAGO – It has been a very busy July at HollywoodChicago.com and a few high profile titles have slipped through the cracks of our Blu-Ray coverage. We can’t leave any HD stone unturned, so we wanted to play catch-up and make sure you know about these releases via the legendary Blu-Ray Round-Up column. Horror movies, comedies, and a modern sci-fi classic from Terry Gilliam - there’s something for everyone in July’s Blu-Ray selection.

“Grumpy Old Men” and “The Unborn” were released on July 7th, 2009.

“The Haunting in Connecticutt” was released on July 14th, 2009.

“I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” was released on July 21st, 2009.

“12 Monkeys” will be released on July 28th, 2009.

“12 Monkeys”

Photo credit: Universal

Synopsis: “Cole (Bruce Willis) is sent back in time to save the human race from a deadly virus that has forced mankind into dank underground communities in the future. Along his travels, he encounters a psychiatrist (Madeleine Stowe) and a mental patient, brilliantly portrayed by Brad Pitt, who may hold the key to the mysterious rogue group, the Army of the 12 Monkeys, thought to be responsible for unleashing the killer disease. Believing he can obtain a pure virus sample in order to find a cure in the future, he is met with one riddle after another that puts him in a race with time. This sci-fi masterpiece from the genius mind of Terry Gilliam is a modern-day classic.”

“12 Monkeys” stars Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, and Christopher Plummer. It was written by David Peoples & Janet Peoples and directed by Terry Gilliam. It is rated R. The film is presented with a 1080P High-Defintion Widescreen 1.85:1 transfer with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

Special features include a feature commentary with director Terry Gilliam and producer Charles Roven, “The Hamster Factor & Other Tales of 12 Monkeys,” and “12 Monkeys Archives”.

“Grumpy Old Men”

Photo credit: WB

Synopsis: “Two elderly, eccentric, next-door neighbors sustain a rancorous relationship that only a wise observer could recognize as a very special friendship. When a lonely, flamboyant, middle-aged widow moves in across the street from them, the male rivalry begins.”

“Grumpy Old Men” stars Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Kevin Pollak, Ossie Davis, and Daryl Hannah. It was written by Mark Steven Johnson and directed by Donald Petrie. The film is presented with a 1080P High-Defintion Widescreen 1.85:1 transfer with an English Dolby TrueHD 2.0 track.

The only special feature included is the theatrical trailer.

“The Haunting in Connecticutt”

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Synopsis: “When the Campbell family moves to upstate Connecticut, they soon learn that their charming Victorian home has a disturbing history: not only was the house formerly a funeral parlor where inconceivable acts occurred, but the owner’s clairvoyant son Jonah served as a demonic messenger, providing a gateway for spiritual entities to crossover. Now, unspeakable terror awaits when Jonah, the boy who communicated with the dead, returns to unleash a new kind of horror on the innocent and unsuspecting family.”

“The Haunting in Connecticutt” stars Virginia Madsen, Kyle Gallner, Martin Donovan, Amanda Crew, and Elias Koteas. It was written by Adam Simon & Tim Metcalfe and directed by Peter Cornwell. It is rated PG-13 and unrated. The film is presented with a 1080P High-Defintion Widescreen 2.35:1 transfer with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track.

Special features include the audio commentaries with director, producer, cast and crew on the unrated version, “Two Dead Boys: The Making of The Haunting in Connecticutt,” “The Fear is Real: Reinvestigating the Haunting,” “Anatomy of a Haunting,” “Memento Mori: The History of Postmortem Photography,” deleted scenes with optional commentary by director Peter Cornwell, and the theatrical trailer.

“I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry”

Photo credit: Universal

Synopsis:”Adam Sandler and Kevin James star as best friends and fellow firefighters Chuck and Larry, the pride of their Brooklyn fire station. Chuck owes Larry for saving his life. Larry calls in that favor big-time by asking Chuck to pose as his “domestic partner” so his kids will get his pension. But when a fact-checking bureaucrat becomes suspicious, the two straight guys are forced to improvise as love-struck newlyweds. Jessica Biel, Ving Rhames and Dan Aykroyd co-star in this hilarious comedy.”

“I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” stars Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Jessica Biel, Ving Rhames, Steve Buscemi, and Dan Akyroyd. It was written by Barry Fanard and Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor and directed by Dennis Dugan. It is rated PG-13. The film is presented with a 1080P High-Defintion Widescreen 1.85:1 transfer with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

Special features include U-Control functionality, a feature commentary with director Dennis Dugan, Adam Sandler and Kevin James, and a feature commentary with director Dennis Dugan.

“The Unborn”

Photo credit: Universal

Synopsis: “Enter a world of unrelenting evil as terror finds a new form in The Unborn. From the producers of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the co-writer of The Dark Knight comes this shocking supernatural thriller about a young woman (Odette Yustman) plagued by chilling dreams and tortured by a demonic ghost that haunts her waking hours. Her only hope to break the debilitating paranormal curse is in an exorcism with spiritual advisor Sendak (Gary Oldman). See what lies beyond the doorway of our world in this non-stop nightmare of the undead…”

“The Unborn” stars Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman, Meagan Good, Cam Gigandet, James Remar, Jane Alexander, and Idris Elba. It was written and directed by David S. Goyer. It is rated PG-13 and unrated. The film is presented with a 1080P High-Defintion Widescreen 2.40:1 transfer with an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

Special features include deleted scenes in hi-def and BD-Live access.

Check out our full-length theatrical review of “The Unborn”.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ Mesmerizes in Criterion Edition

BrianTT — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:36:53 -0600

CHICAGO – I have been writing about DVDs and now Blu-Ray titles for the better part of a decade and have literally worked my way through hundreds of them and the Criterion Blu-Ray release for the widely acclaimed and Oscar-nominated “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett is one of the best home releases I’ve ever seen.

Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0

If you somehow missed it during its critically-acclaimed theatrical run, director David Fincher’s shockingly ambitious film tells the story of a man born as an old man and aging in reverse. What would you learn about life if you lived it in the other direction? If you were born with the calm wisdom of an older gentleman, how would it affect the way you approach the world?

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was released on Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount/Criterion

After his mother dies in childbirth, Benjamin is taken in by a woman (Taraji P. Henson) who runs an elderly home. Because he looks old, Ben fits in with the elderly but still has the optimism of a child. At the home, Ben (Brad Pitt) meets Daisy (first played by Elle Fanning and later by Cate Blanchett) and the two form a bond that will serve as the through line for the entire film. Fincher and writer Eric Roth weave in and out of the love story and include a sailor (Jared Harris) and an affair with a married woman (Tilda Swinton).

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was released on Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount/Criterion

Pitt, Blanchett, and Henson are spectacular in this modern fairy tale that’s almost purposefully designed NOT to provoke an emotional response. Fincher is a director who likes to keep his audience at arm’s length. He’s the anti-Spielberg, far more interested in the recreation of something “Curious” than sentimental. It’s an expertly made film by one of the best directors alive and it’s a work that gets significantly better on repeat viewing.

Most DVD and Blu-Ray releases serve simple purposes. They bring a film home usually with a pretty standard video & audio transfer and special features that accompany the work. Every once in awhile, a home release does more than the standard and those are the ones that deserve your attention. The Criterion edition of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is one of those rare releases.

Why? To start, the film was practically made for Blu-Ray. The merging of the digital and the human at the very core of the film’s title character nearly demands that you see it in HD. Whatever you may say about the film itself, it’s design and effects can not be slighted and the movie looks and sounds as good as anything I’ve ever seen in the form. Honestly, the picture and audio quality nearly brings a tear to my eye and I look at HD Blu-Rays every single day. “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Godfather” are the two Blu-Rays I usually reach for first to show off the potential of HD. This is the new number one.

What truly separates the “Button” Criterion release is something that this company has been doing for years. They assemble special features that don’t just ‘accompany’ a film, they enhance it. There’s no filler on a Criterion release. You won’t see a “Button” gag reel.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was released on Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount/Criterion

What you will find is one of the best filmmaking documentaries in years - “The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button”. Running even longer than the film itself at 175 minutes, the documentary chronicles the entire process but not in a cold, EPK way, but through the words of the people who made it. It’s an oral history of an ambitious, complex film from early draft attempts through the complex post-production. If you’re interested in how a film gets made, even if you don’t like Fincher’s work, you must see this documentary. It’s a stunner.

The incredibly well-spoken and interesting David Fincher also sat down for an audio commentary and Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett came in for interviews, but the three-hour documentary is all you’ll really need. I can’t stress its quality level strongly enough.

And what about the film itself? Hearing Fincher discuss his intent with the film allowed a few of my initial flaws with the final product to fall away. Maybe it was the rush of expectation and the exhaustion of awards season, but I think I undervalued the film a few months ago and it’s a work that I look forward to watching multiple times over the years. The fact is that most of Fincher’s films have aged well (go watch “Zodiac” again if you don’t believe me) and I think “Button” will age better than most (pun only mildly intended).

There are very honest “must-owns” on the Blu-Ray market. Some have been surprised that the technology hasn’t taken off as quickly as they predicted. It’s because most of the HD releases aren’t significantly better than the standard DVD released at the same time. If there were more titles like “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” were released, that perception would change quickly. Even if you don’t own a Blu-Ray player, buy the Criterion version of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. It’s one of the first things that you’ll want to watch on it when you eventually do.

‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ is released by Paramount Home Video and stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Jared Harris, Jason Flemyng, and Tilda Swinton. It was written by Eric Roth and directed by David Fincher. The film was released on May 5th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: Clip From ‘Inglourious Basterds’ With Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt

BrianTT — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:59:51 -0600

CHICAGO – Last night’s “American Idol” featured an exclusive clip from the August 21st release of Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” starring Brad Pitt, B.J. Novak, Eli Roth, Samuel L. Jackson, Cloris Leachmen, Mike Myers, and Diane Krueger. We have the clip for you below that was reportedly too hot to air on primetime TV during “American Idol.”

The official press release:

Last night, on FOX’s mega-hit tv show, “American Idol,” Quentin Tarantino made a special guest mentor appearance and debuted a sneak preview of never-seen-before footage from his upcoming movie, “Inglourious Basterds”.

“Inglourious Basterds” stars Brad Pitt and Diane Kruger and will hit theatres on August 21, 2009.

Watch the full preview for “Inglourious Basterds”.
Watch more HollywoodChicago.com-hosted A&E videos.
Watch more movie videos on HollywoodChicago.com hosted elsewhere.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Inglourious Basterds’ Trailer With Brad Pitt

BrianTT — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:34:05 -0600

CHICAGO – We’re back with our latest addition to our new-and-expanding video library of Summer 2009 movie previews. Today’s installment is easily one of the most anticipated films of the season, Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds” starring Brad Pitt, Eli Roth, B.J. Novak, Samuel L. Jackson, Cloris Leachman, Mike Myers, and Diane Kruger. Check it out and see what you think. The film opens on August 21st, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Angie Dickinson on the Big Break, The Rat Pack, ‘Police Woman’

PatrickMcD — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:55:42 -0600

Angie Dickinson has brought her charm and magnetism to a career that has spanned from the Marilyn Monroe era – she was featured in the original “Ocean’s 11” – to grittier movie roles in such cult classics as “Point Blank”, “Dressed to Kill” and Ronald Reagan’s last film,”The Killers”.

But she will always be remembered for her breakthrough TV role as “Pepper” Anderson in 1974’s “Police Woman”. Dickinson was the first lead role female cop character in series television history and laid the foundation for all the women-led action series that followed.

HollywoodChicago.com caught up with still radiant Ms. Dickinson in Chicago at the Hollywood Collector Show. She reminisced about her first big break, her life with the “Rat Pack” and how Pepper was a role model for girls…and boys.

Angie Dickinson talks to director Howard Hawks while John Wayne looks on during the filming of ‘Rio Bravo’
Photo credit: Dr. Macro’s Movie Scans

HollywoodChicago.com: After bit parts in movies and the early days of television, who or what was instrumental in getting you your first big showcase film role in Rio Bravo?

Angie Dickinson: The connection was a director I had doing an episode of Perry Mason. His name was Chris Nyby. Chris was a film editor before he was a director, and had worked with Rio Bravo’s director, Howard Hawks.

So Chris Nyby said to Howard Hawks if you want to discover another newcomer, check out Angie Dickinson. Hawks saw me, I did a screen test and I was hired. That was my big break.

HC: What kind of difficulties did you have with the whole Hollywood system when you were breaking into the business during the time of Marilyn Monroe and the breakdown of the studio system?

AD: It was not easy. I found my career out of the blue. I was working as a secretary and had gone to college. I got hooked into show business a little later than most, and with no connections or background in it.

So every thing I got after that I felt lucky getting because I never aimed too high, I aimed realistically. Everything fell my way, and within four years I was cast opposite John Wayne in Rio Bravo. That was a fairly fast track considering how shortly I’d been in the business.

HC: Having been part of the actual people and the original film version Ocean’s 11 in 1960, what do you think of the whole “Rat Pack” style of cool has become so popular now? Is it deserved or do you just laugh?

AD: It is deserved and it was a blast. I didn’t think anyone could pull it off again, but George Clooney and Brad Pitt did it, and that was wonderful.

Angie Dickinson in ‘Police Woman’
Photo credit: Sony Pictures

HC: You’ve had some varied and peculiar “against type” roles in your career. What was your criteria for choosing the unusual roles you’ve done, such as in Point Blank and Dressed to Kill?

AD: Money (laughing).

I don’t know, I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, just something good. When Police Woman came along, it was great to play that role, but I wasn’t aiming for it, I was just striving to keep me career going.

Some roles were great, some not so great. But just like a ballplayer, if you hit .375 that’s not too bad (laughs).

HC: You are held up as a somewhat feminist icon for your role on Police Woman. In looking back at that era, how do you think it helped pave the way for women to get different roles in television dramas?

AD: It paved the way because it was the first. It also had the title “Police Woman” and more significantly it premiered on a Friday night, where young girls could stay up later and get the role model part of it. Also younger boys were fans as well, I guess for different reasons (laughing). Everyone needs a role model.

HC: Finally, can you tell us something about Frank Sinatra that the rest of world doesn’t know?

AD: No. (laughs)

’Police Woman - The Complete First Season’ is available on DVD from Sony Pictures. Click here for the HollywoodChicago.com slideshow of the Hollywood Collector Show.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Release Date, Cover Art For Criterion’s ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’

BrianTT — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:35:15 -0600

CHICAGO – Paramount/Criterion made a huge announcement today, revealing that David Fincher’s Oscar-winning “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” will be inducted into The Criterion Collection in its debut on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009. The Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett drama will arrive in a two-disc special edition DVD and two-disc Blu-Ray with over three hours of special features.

“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” was named by over 150 critics as one of the best films of 2008. The film marks Fincher’s first inclusion in the prestigious Criterion Collection. Cover art below.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will be released on DVD and Blu-Ray on May 5th, 2009.
Photo credit: Paramount Home Video

The official details:

“The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button two-disc DVD and two-disc Blu-ray boast over three hours of enthralling special features including interviews with stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett with behind-the-scenes footage of their astonishing on-screen transformations, an in-depth documentary revealing the unusual journey of the film itself including the secrets of its award-winning visual effects and an exploration of the groundbreaking computer wizardry that brought the magical world of Benjamin Button to life.”

“The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button two-disc and single-disc DVD are presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and Spanish 5.1 Surround and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The two-disc Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio™, French 5.1 Dolby Digital and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. The two-disc Criterion Edition DVD and two-disc Criterion Blu-ray include the following special features:

o The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button—four-part documentary:
o Academy Award-nominated director David Fincher introduces the surprising beginnings of what would become an epic masterpiece including the casting of Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, the decision to change the location of the story to New Orleans and more.
o Follow the production from day one including the challenges of aging Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett, designing over five thousand costumes and creating the animatronic baby.
o Explore the incredible visual effects techniques created specifically for the film that allowed Brad Pitt to play the title character at virtually every age. Also includes a visit to the scoring stage with composer Alexandre Desplat.
o Walk the red carpet at the film’s premiere in New Orleans, with final thoughts from cast and crew.
o Audio Commentary by director David Fincher

There is also a single-disc DVD presentation that includes the feature film.

‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ will be released by Paramount Home Video and stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Taraji P. Henson, Jason Flemyng, Tilda Swinton, Julia Ormond, and Jared Harris. It was written by Eric Roth and directed by David Fincher. It will be released on May 5th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com