Browsing: Film and Television

here was bloodshed on the battlefields of the Civil War and there was bloodshed on the homefront of two families: the Hatfields and the McCoys.
The epic feud, which began in 1865 and was filled with murder, theft, and deceit, not only made for an Emmy nominated miniseries, but it’s also historically true.
Baylor alumnus Kevin Reynolds directed the Hatfields & the McCoys miniseries, which aired May 28-30. He graduated from Baylor with a law degree in 1976.
In 1978, Reynolds decided to attend the University of Southern California after practicing law in Austin for two years.

When I was a little girl, I was always astounded when someone made the prediction that a movie would have a sequel, having no understanding whatsoever of the way the minds of studio executives worked. Could I have foreseen the “Little Mermaid 2?” Or 3? No, but someone more savvy could smell a string of bad Disney sequels a mile off. These add-ons, which I invariably found disappointing, served only to cash in on the good name of a better movie. Money could be made from unnaturally extending a story which had reached a satisfying conclusion–and it was.

As far back as I can remember I’ve been enamored with the George Washington Bridge. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about it that boggles my mind and sends my heart aflutter. Truth be told, I’ve wanted to write a piece about this man-made wonder for a while, but I was worried I couldn’t do it justice.

His Awesomeness, Jason Statham, has let it be known that he chooses his films based on the fight choreographer the producers hire. Often as not, that blows up in his face. Why else would the Human Bullet from Blighty end up in dogs like “War,” “Transporter 3” and “Death Race”?

A few films into their Disneynature movie-making experience, producer-directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield, veterans of the BBC’s acclaimed “Planet Earth” series, figure they’re finally getting the hang of Disney.

Cinematographer Stephen Poster set up a simple studio rig of three stage lights and a small collection of crude three-dimensional objects on a black felt top to display how easily one could produce shadows and harsh lines. With a camera attached to an external monitor, Poster shined and reflected light beams all across the room while students and faculty watched.

“The Hunger Games,” the teen action-adventure film that opened to big numbers last weekend, is, without question, a parable of the Occupy Wall Street movement. It’s also a cautionary tale about Big Government. And undeniably a Christian allegory about the importance of finding Jesus. Or maybe a call for campaign-finance reform?

With the zombie craze sweeping the nation, thankfully not literally, film majors and movie lovers in the Austin area will be excited to hear about filmmaker Edgar Wright’s upcoming appearances at the new Slaughterhouse Lane Alamo Drafthouse. Friday and Saturday night, the Drafthouse is welcoming Edgar Wright for screenings of his films “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz.”

What can be more controversial than killing children? How about children killing children for a game that’s hyped up like it’s the Olympics or Super Bowl when the entire world is watching?

Tracey Gold and Alan Thicke, who played Kirk Cameron’s sister and father on the 1980s sitcom “Growing Pains,” have joined the chorus of performers taking exception to their castmate’s anti-gay comments.

“I’m in love with genuine stories that present that human quality,” country singer songwriter Zane Williams said. “And this new documentary ‘Troubadour’ shows the real stories of real artists. I know that is rare.”