If you ask any action fan hailing from any country, that has some kind of internet connection or cable television, about the most influential director in the genre, they’ll definitely talk endlessly about John Woo. Before checking out his Hong Kong productions, I was watching his Hollywood films on loop. I was mesmerized by Woo’s use of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s mullet in Hard Target. I was forced to watch Broken Arrow multiple times by one of my friends, and even though it didn’t hit me during the first few viewings, eventually, the utter insanity on display blew me away. Obviously, I wasn’t ready for the bonkers premise of Face/Off and the even more bonkers performances from Nic Cage and John Travolta. I didn’t like Mission: Impossible 2 initially because it was so different from Brian De Palma’s work, but now I think it’s a masterpiece.
- 8/23/2024
- by Pramit Chatterjee
- DMT
Bound will release on 4K and Blu-ray in the Criterion Collection on June 18th, 2024.
A mere three years before they changed the cinematic landscape forever with The Matrix, Lana and Lilly Wachowski delivered a bare-bones, neo-noir thriller overflowing with tension and sensuality. In their feature directorial debut, the sibling filmmakers showcased their talents with a grounded thriller set primarily within the confines of a single apartment building.
Bound Plot
Corky (Gina Gershon) finds herself drawn to Violet (Jennifer Tilly), the woman living down the hall of their shared apartment complex. However, things are complicated when its learned that Violet is married to Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), a mobster with violent tendencies. When the two women make the decision to steal money from the mob and start a new life together, things begin to unravel and nothing goes according to plan.
The Critique
Jennifer Tilly (left) and Gina Gershon (right) in the...
A mere three years before they changed the cinematic landscape forever with The Matrix, Lana and Lilly Wachowski delivered a bare-bones, neo-noir thriller overflowing with tension and sensuality. In their feature directorial debut, the sibling filmmakers showcased their talents with a grounded thriller set primarily within the confines of a single apartment building.
Bound Plot
Corky (Gina Gershon) finds herself drawn to Violet (Jennifer Tilly), the woman living down the hall of their shared apartment complex. However, things are complicated when its learned that Violet is married to Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), a mobster with violent tendencies. When the two women make the decision to steal money from the mob and start a new life together, things begin to unravel and nothing goes according to plan.
The Critique
Jennifer Tilly (left) and Gina Gershon (right) in the...
- 6/15/2024
- by Joshua Ryan
- FandomWire
Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s Bound, their low-budget neo-noir debut feature from 1996, is both an outlier in a filmography subsequently defined by high-concept science fiction and an ur-text for the filmmakers’ overriding interest in the power of erotic and romantic love to liberate people.
The film concerns a plot by Violet (Jennifer Tilly), the moll of a mafia money launderer named Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), to run out on her man with enough of his filthy lucre to set herself up for life. To do so, she woos Corky (Gina Gershon), her apartment complex’s handywoman and an ex-con, to act as her accomplice. But rather than simply use the woman as a patsy, Violet betrays more and more genuine interest in Corky, and the two grow ever closer as Caesar starts to piece together their scheme and things go increasingly awry.
There are two ways in which the Wachowskis immediately...
The film concerns a plot by Violet (Jennifer Tilly), the moll of a mafia money launderer named Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), to run out on her man with enough of his filthy lucre to set herself up for life. To do so, she woos Corky (Gina Gershon), her apartment complex’s handywoman and an ex-con, to act as her accomplice. But rather than simply use the woman as a patsy, Violet betrays more and more genuine interest in Corky, and the two grow ever closer as Caesar starts to piece together their scheme and things go increasingly awry.
There are two ways in which the Wachowskis immediately...
- 6/14/2024
- by Jake Cole
- Slant Magazine
Exclusive: The Murtha Skouras Agency, representing top below-the-line talent, has elevated longtime agents Hillary Cook and Karen Berch to Partner, founding partners Ann Murtha and Spyros Skouras announced on Friday.
Created in 2016 following the mergers of The Murtha Agency and The Skouras Agency, The Murtha Skouras Agency has had Cook and Berch serving in the film and television arm ever since.
“Hillary and Karen, longtime agents of The Murtha Skouras Agency, have been indispensable, passionate members of our team. Both possess a wealth of knowledge, experience and a deep commitment to promoting and celebrating the art of film,” Murtha and Skouras said in a joint statement. “They are also known for their honesty, integrity, unwavering dedication, exceptional work ethic, commitment to excellence, and professionalism. With these promotions, we are delighted to recognize their accomplishments – and future achievements.”
Recently, Cook and Berch saw client Arthur Max receive his fourth Oscar nomination...
Created in 2016 following the mergers of The Murtha Agency and The Skouras Agency, The Murtha Skouras Agency has had Cook and Berch serving in the film and television arm ever since.
“Hillary and Karen, longtime agents of The Murtha Skouras Agency, have been indispensable, passionate members of our team. Both possess a wealth of knowledge, experience and a deep commitment to promoting and celebrating the art of film,” Murtha and Skouras said in a joint statement. “They are also known for their honesty, integrity, unwavering dedication, exceptional work ethic, commitment to excellence, and professionalism. With these promotions, we are delighted to recognize their accomplishments – and future achievements.”
Recently, Cook and Berch saw client Arthur Max receive his fourth Oscar nomination...
- 3/15/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Despite the fact that Asian directors and Western actors (or vice versa) do not seem to always get along very well, at least in terms of the results of their collaborations, the effort to achieve a result that will finally work seems to continue perpetually. As such, it is with great joy to state that John Woo definitely succeeded this time, by including almost every fan-favorite action movie element in the book, in a title that also signals a return to form for the Hk veteran.
Silent Night is screening at Red Sea Film Festival
The paper-thin, ultra-cliched script begins with a man chasing after two cars of opposing gang members, who are just shooting at each other while speeding on the narrow streets of what seems to be an almost dystopian US setting. The result, however, is him getting shot in the throat (among other parts) and rushed to the hospital,...
Silent Night is screening at Red Sea Film Festival
The paper-thin, ultra-cliched script begins with a man chasing after two cars of opposing gang members, who are just shooting at each other while speeding on the narrow streets of what seems to be an almost dystopian US setting. The result, however, is him getting shot in the throat (among other parts) and rushed to the hospital,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
(Welcome to Best Action Scene Ever, a column dedicated to breaking down the best, most effective action sequences throughout the genre. In this edition, we take on the famous training sequence in "The Matrix.")
The thing about the Wachowskis' "The Matrix" is that you could throw a dart at any of a half-dozen different action sequences and land on one that's more than worthy of this column. The opening moments showcasing the first-ever instance of bullet time practically rewrote the rules for the entire action genre at the time. The set piece beginning with the "deja vu" moment and ending on Morpheus' (Laurence Fishburne) self-sacrificial capture rightfully owns a sizable piece of pop culture real estate all these years later. And the final act of the film unveils one all-timer action scene after another, from the lobby shootout to the rooftop rescue to Keanu Reeves' Neo taking on Agent Smith...
The thing about the Wachowskis' "The Matrix" is that you could throw a dart at any of a half-dozen different action sequences and land on one that's more than worthy of this column. The opening moments showcasing the first-ever instance of bullet time practically rewrote the rules for the entire action genre at the time. The set piece beginning with the "deja vu" moment and ending on Morpheus' (Laurence Fishburne) self-sacrificial capture rightfully owns a sizable piece of pop culture real estate all these years later. And the final act of the film unveils one all-timer action scene after another, from the lobby shootout to the rooftop rescue to Keanu Reeves' Neo taking on Agent Smith...
- 2/13/2023
- by Jeremy Mathai
- Slash Film
Opposition to the Academy’s plan to award eight Oscars prior to the live telecast continues to grow, with more than 350 new names — including more than a dozen Oscar-winning editors, cinematographers and production designers — added to the petition sent last week to Academy president David Rubin urging a reversal of the plan.
Among the industry professionals signing are Oscar-winning cinematographers John Seale (“The English Patient”), John Toll (“Braveheart”) and Dean Semler (“Dances With Wolves”), and Oscar-winning editors Richard Chew and Paul Hirsch (“Star Wars”), Mikkel Neilsen (“The Sound of Metal”), Pietro Scalia (“JFK”) and Zach Staenberg (“The Matrix”).
Oscar-winning production designers Hannah Beachler (“Black Panther”), Barbara Ling (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”), Adam Stockhausen (“Grand Budapest Hotel”) and David and Sandy Wasco (“La La Land”) also signed on.
Cinematography will be presented during the live show, but editing and production design are among the eight awards to be presented during the 4 p.
Among the industry professionals signing are Oscar-winning cinematographers John Seale (“The English Patient”), John Toll (“Braveheart”) and Dean Semler (“Dances With Wolves”), and Oscar-winning editors Richard Chew and Paul Hirsch (“Star Wars”), Mikkel Neilsen (“The Sound of Metal”), Pietro Scalia (“JFK”) and Zach Staenberg (“The Matrix”).
Oscar-winning production designers Hannah Beachler (“Black Panther”), Barbara Ling (“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”), Adam Stockhausen (“Grand Budapest Hotel”) and David and Sandy Wasco (“La La Land”) also signed on.
Cinematography will be presented during the live show, but editing and production design are among the eight awards to be presented during the 4 p.
- 3/17/2022
- by Jon Burlingame
- Variety Film + TV
Once loaded with connotations of exoticism and movie-star glamor, Ava now ranks annually among the most popular girls’ names in America, and it seems its ubiquity is extending to the film world: Tate Taylor’s female-starring shoot-’em-up “Ava” is the third film bearing that title to crop up in as many years. It, too, has the air of something that may once have been unusual in conception only to emerge as rather generic. Built around Jessica Chastain as an ice-cool, globe-trotting assassin facing a tangle of personal and professional challenges when she returns home to Boston, the film provides than a major star vehicle.
At the very least, you’d probably tune in to the second episode — if only to further indulge the exertions of a cast way above the pay grade of this B-list material. Where else are you going to find bloody, athletic scenes of hand-to-hand combat between Chastain and Joan Chen,...
At the very least, you’d probably tune in to the second episode — if only to further indulge the exertions of a cast way above the pay grade of this B-list material. Where else are you going to find bloody, athletic scenes of hand-to-hand combat between Chastain and Joan Chen,...
- 8/27/2020
- by Guy Lodge
- Variety Film + TV
Though I strongly advise not holding your breath when it comes to waiting for a fourth entry into the franchise, us fans of The Matrix Trilogy at least have something pretty cool that we can look forward to in the near future. As it turns out, the trinity of movies (pun intended) that changed the game in so many ways will soon be getting the 4K Ultra HD treatment.
Granted, the first flick did arrive on that very format a few months back, but the real story here is that the rest will follow suit on October 30th. To be more specific, you can buy the trilogy as a complete set via the $70.99 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, or purchase either The Matrix Reloaded or The Matrix Revolutions for $29.99 individually. But if the digital format’s your thing, you’ll be able to indulge slightly earlier on October 2nd. Either way,...
Granted, the first flick did arrive on that very format a few months back, but the real story here is that the rest will follow suit on October 30th. To be more specific, you can buy the trilogy as a complete set via the $70.99 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, or purchase either The Matrix Reloaded or The Matrix Revolutions for $29.99 individually. But if the digital format’s your thing, you’ll be able to indulge slightly earlier on October 2nd. Either way,...
- 8/16/2018
- by Eric Joseph
- We Got This Covered
'The Insider' movie: Al Pacino and Russell Crowe 'The Insider' movie: 1999 exposé of CBS news show barks, but doesn't bite Michael Mann's 1999 movie The Insider quote exchange: "It's old news. ... We'll be ok," says Don Hewitt (Philip Baker Hall), the creator of the CBS news show 60 Minutes. "These things have a half-life of 15 minutes." "No, that's fame," replies 60 Minutes anchor Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer). "Fame has a 15-minute half-life. Infamy lasts a little longer." The infamous "things" referred to by Hewitt and Wallace are the series of scandals that erupted in early 1996, when it was revealed that CBS had refused to air an interview with a tobacco company whistleblower because the network feared the (financial) consequences. What Freedom of the Press? Based on Marie Brenner's Vanity Fair article about the events that led up to that embarrassing – and disturbing – incident, The Insider tells the story of scientist Jeffrey Wigand...
- 5/14/2015
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Now this is a list that could result in a lot of fascinating dissection and thanks to HitFix it comes to our attention almost three years after it was originally released back in 2012, celebrating the Motion Picture Editors Guild's 75th anniversary. Over at HitFix, Kris Tapley asks, "Is this news to anyone elsec" Um, yes, I find it immensely interesting and a perfect starting point for anyone looking to further explore the art of film editing. In an accompanying article we get the particulars concerning what films were eligible and how films were to be considered: In our Jan-feb 12 issue, we asked Guild members to vote on what they consider to be the Best Edited Films of all time. Any feature-length film from any country in the world was eligible. And by "Best Edited," we explained, we didn't just mean picture; sound, music and mixing were to be considered as well.
- 2/4/2015
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
A random bit of researching on a Tuesday night led me to something I didn't know existed: The Motion Picture Editors Guild's list of the 75 best-edited films of all time. It was a feature in part celebrating the Guild's 75th anniversary in 2012. Is this news to anyone else? I confess to having missed it entirely. Naturally, I had to dig in. What was immediately striking to me about the list — which was decided upon by the Guild membership and, per instruction, was considered in terms of picture and sound editorial as opposed to just the former — was the most popular decade ranking. Naturally, the 1970s led with 17 mentions, but right on its heels was the 1990s. I wouldn't have expected that but I happen to agree with the assessment. Thelma Schoonmaker's work on "Raging Bull" came out on top, an objectively difficult choice to dispute, really. It was so transformative,...
- 2/4/2015
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Hitfix
Stars: Gina Gershon, Jennifer Tilly, Joe Pantoliano, John P. Ryan, Christopher Meloni, Richard C. Sarafian, Mary Mara, Susie Bright | Written and Directed by The Wachowski Brothers
Watching Bound you can’t help but be impressed with its style and understand why people cite its importance to the Matrix movies which were the Wachowski next movies to work on. Then you realise that this was their first movie and see just why it is so impressive and brave. Bound is a modern noir that takes two female leads and puts them in the place of power and most importantly a realistic love affair. This may sound nothing surprising now, but at the time it had never been done in this style, especially by two writer/directors who wanted to make an impact in Hollywood. Now that it’s getting the Arrow Video treatment, it’s time for Bound to get the attention it definitely deserves.
Watching Bound you can’t help but be impressed with its style and understand why people cite its importance to the Matrix movies which were the Wachowski next movies to work on. Then you realise that this was their first movie and see just why it is so impressive and brave. Bound is a modern noir that takes two female leads and puts them in the place of power and most importantly a realistic love affair. This may sound nothing surprising now, but at the time it had never been done in this style, especially by two writer/directors who wanted to make an impact in Hollywood. Now that it’s getting the Arrow Video treatment, it’s time for Bound to get the attention it definitely deserves.
- 8/18/2014
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will explore how stunt artists utilize emerging technologies to bring previously impossible stunts to the screen in “Real to Reel: The Art of Action” on Friday, September 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
Using scenes from films including “The Matrix” (1999), “Transformers” (2007), “Alice in Wonderland” (2010), “Real Steel” (2011), “Warrior” (2011), “Skyfall” (2012), “The Master” (2012) and “Iron Man 3″ (2013), “Real to Reel” will illustrate how technology is expanding cinematic possibilities for stunt artists.
Hosted by stunt coordinator Garrett Warren, the night will include live demonstrations, behind-the-scenes footage and conversations with some of the films’ creative teams, who will discuss how scenes were created.
Warren was a martial artist before launching his on-screen career. He has served as stunt coordinator on such features as “Beowulf” (2007), “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” (2009), “Avatar” (2009), “Alice in Wonderland” (2010), “Real Steel” (2011) and “Lincoln” (2012). Most recently,...
Using scenes from films including “The Matrix” (1999), “Transformers” (2007), “Alice in Wonderland” (2010), “Real Steel” (2011), “Warrior” (2011), “Skyfall” (2012), “The Master” (2012) and “Iron Man 3″ (2013), “Real to Reel” will illustrate how technology is expanding cinematic possibilities for stunt artists.
Hosted by stunt coordinator Garrett Warren, the night will include live demonstrations, behind-the-scenes footage and conversations with some of the films’ creative teams, who will discuss how scenes were created.
Warren was a martial artist before launching his on-screen career. He has served as stunt coordinator on such features as “Beowulf” (2007), “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” (2009), “Avatar” (2009), “Alice in Wonderland” (2010), “Real Steel” (2011) and “Lincoln” (2012). Most recently,...
- 9/6/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
[1] Today's Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day is The Ultimate Matrix Collection Blu-Ray for $25.49 [2] ($65 msrp). The Gold Box Deal of the Day is only good for 24 hours and will disappear at midnight. So act fast. This seven-disc collection contains the complete Matrix Trilogy in high definition video and lossless high definition 5.1 audio (Dolby TrueHD) — each with hours of special features including Whv's ground-breaking In-Movie Experience. The Animatrix, the nine-part anime film, three additional bonus discs include more than 35 hours of additional features and a digital copy of The Matrix. Full list of special features after the jump. Also, they have a one day only deal on It's A Wonderful Life, selling the Blu-ray for only $13.99 [3] ($30 msrp) and the two disc collector's DVD set for only $8.99 [4] ($20 msrp). Disc #1 - The Matrix (1999) In-Movie Experience Written introduction by the Wachowski brothers Philosophers commentary by Dr. Cornel West, Ken Wilber Critics commentary by Todd McCarthy,...
- 11/29/2011
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
[1] Today's Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day is The Ultimate Matrix Collection Blu-Ray for $26.99 [2], 58% off the $65 msrp. The Gold Box Deal of the Day is only good for 24 hours and will disappear at midnight. So act fast. This seven-disc collection contains the complete Matrix Trilogy in high definition video and lossless high definition 5.1 audio (Dolby TrueHD) — each with hours of special features including Whv's ground-breaking In-Movie Experience. The Animatrix, the nine-part anime film, three additional bonus discs include more than 35 hours of additional features and a digital copy of The Matrix. Full list of special features after the jump. Disc #1 - The Matrix (1999) In-Movie Experience Written introduction by the Wachowski brothers Philosophers commentary by Dr. Cornel West, Ken Wilber Critics commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers, David Thomson Cast and crew commentary by Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg and John Gaeta Composer commentary by Don Davis with music-only track The Matrix Revisited...
- 7/27/2011
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Today's Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day is The Ultimate Matrix Collection Blu-Ray for $49.99, 62% off the $130 msrp. The Gold Box Deal of the Day is only good for 24 hours and will disappear at midnight. So act fast. This seven-disc collection contains the complete Matrix Trilogy in high definition video and lossless high definition 5.1 audio (Dolby TrueHD) — each with hours of special features including Whv's ground-breaking In-Movie Experience. The Animatrix, the nine-part anime film, three additional bonus discs include more than 35 hours of additional features and a digital copy of The Matrix. Full list of special features after the jump. Disc #1 - The Matrix (1999) In-Movie Experience Written introduction by the Wachowski brothers Philosophers commentary by Dr. Cornel West, Ken Wilber Critics commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers, David Thomson Cast and crew commentary by Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg and John Gaeta Composer commentary by Don Davis with music-only ...
- 6/10/2010
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Today's Amazon Gold Box Deal of the Day is The Ultimate Matrix Collection Blu-Ray for $57.99, 55% off the $130 msrp. The Gold Box Deal of the Day is only good for 24 hours and will disappear at midnight. This seven-disc collection contains the complete Matrix Trilogy in high definition video and lossless high definition 5.1 audio (Dolby TrueHD) — each with hours of special features including Whv's ground-breaking In-Movie Experience. The Animatrix, the nine-part anime film, three additional bonus discs include more than 35 hours of additional features and a digital copy of The Matrix. Full list of special features after the jump. Disc #1 - The Matrix (1999) In-Movie Experience Written introduction by the Wachowski brothers Philosophers commentary by Dr. Cornel West, Ken Wilber Critics commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers, David Thomson Cast and crew commentary by Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg and John Gaeta Composer commentary by Don Davis with music-only track The Matrix Revisited Making...
- 7/13/2009
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
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If you've seen The Matrix you know why the film community heralds it as a benchmark achievement in filmmaking. Just as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars set the bar for film special effects, The Matrix came along and made us re-examine everything we thought a movie could do. Revolutionary, groundbreaking, mindblowing - these are all terms people use to describe The Matrix. It's certainly all true, but up until now, what I'd appreciated most about The Matrix was this: it packaged a Philosophy 101 course into a digestible Sci-Fi flick with a raging techno/rock/orchestral score and jaw-dropping action sequences. The Blu-ray release of The Matrix turns this scale on its head bringing the action scenes to the level they were always meant to reach - now the film is superb all the way around.
Andy and Larry Wachowski invited...
If you've seen The Matrix you know why the film community heralds it as a benchmark achievement in filmmaking. Just as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars set the bar for film special effects, The Matrix came along and made us re-examine everything we thought a movie could do. Revolutionary, groundbreaking, mindblowing - these are all terms people use to describe The Matrix. It's certainly all true, but up until now, what I'd appreciated most about The Matrix was this: it packaged a Philosophy 101 course into a digestible Sci-Fi flick with a raging techno/rock/orchestral score and jaw-dropping action sequences. The Blu-ray release of The Matrix turns this scale on its head bringing the action scenes to the level they were always meant to reach - now the film is superb all the way around.
Andy and Larry Wachowski invited...
- 4/8/2009
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
Blu-Ray Rating: 5.0/5.0 Chicago – Like a lot of movie fans, one of the first DVDs I owned in the early days of the technology was the revolutionary “The Matrix,” starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Joe Pantoliano from directors Andy and Larry Wachowski. Not only was this sci-fi action extravaganza an easily re-watchable film but it looked amazing with DVD quality. Of course, HD was developed for movies like “The Matrix,” now available as a stand-alone Blu-Ray release for the first time.
The tenth anniversary edition of “The Matrix” brings the already-influential tale of Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity home in crystal-clear 1080p High Definition with the film’s original 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The impressive audio track is a Dolby TrueHD English 5.1 track and the film also includes French and Italian 5.1 tracks and Spanish and Portuguese 2.0 tracks.
What is there to say about the plot of the quality of “The Matrix...
The tenth anniversary edition of “The Matrix” brings the already-influential tale of Neo, Morpheus, and Trinity home in crystal-clear 1080p High Definition with the film’s original 2.40:1 aspect ratio. The impressive audio track is a Dolby TrueHD English 5.1 track and the film also includes French and Italian 5.1 tracks and Spanish and Portuguese 2.0 tracks.
What is there to say about the plot of the quality of “The Matrix...
- 4/7/2009
- by [email protected] (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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