The Famous Families of the Longest Ride Cast

Posted on April 10, 2015 at 3:55 pm

The cast of this week’s big release, the Nicholas Sparks movie “The Longest Ride,” includes three actors with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars in their family trees. It’s a good reminder to check out some of their best films.

Scott Eastwood plays Luke, the rodeo rider. It is obvious from his face as well as his name that his father is Oscar-winning actor/producer/director Clint Eastwood. Here are three samples from Eastwood’s long and varied career.

Jack Huston plays Ira as a young man in the 1940’s. Houston comes from Hollywood royalty. His grandfather, great-grandfather, and aunt have all won Oscars. What’s really nice is that his grandfather, John Huston, was the director of both the Oscar-winning performances of his father, Walter Huston (in “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre”) and his daughter, Anjelica Huston (in “Prizzi’s Honor”).

Walter Huston won his Oscar for “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.”

But my favorite Walter Huston performance is in “Dodsworth.” The look on his face in the last scene is unforgettable.

John Huston directed some of the greatest films of all time, including “The Maltese Falcon,” “Key Largo,” and “The African Queen.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wjIAM0ixzY

He had some memorable acting roles, too, especially in “Chinatown.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPfrCIKhEoA

Jack’s aunt Anjelica starred in many films including “The Witches,” “The Addams Family” and its sequel, “The Grifters,” “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.”

And his uncle Danny starred in television’s “Magic City” and “American Horror Story” and played a key role in Tim Burton’s “Big Eyes.”

Ira’s wife is played by Oona Chaplin, whose grandfather and great-grandfather were two of the greatest talents of the 20th century. Her grandfather was Charlie Chaplin.

She is named for her grandmother, Oona O’Neill, the daughter of playwright Eugene O’Neill.

And her mother is Geraldine Chaplin, who appeared in several films, including “Doctor Zhivago.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2EVab2FgLg

Ira as an old man is played by Alan Alda, who is also the son of a well-known performer, Robert Alda, who originated the role of Skye Masterson in the Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls.” Here he is doing a duet on an old television show.

You can see the progeny of these stars in “The Longest Ride” trailer.

And watch out for more next-generation performers coming soon!

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Actors Film History For Your Netflix Queue

Cinderella-Thon Podcast: Movie Addict Headquarters

Posted on April 7, 2015 at 8:32 pm

Copyright Disney 2015
Copyright Disney 2015

I had a blast talking all things Cinderella on Movie Addict Headquarters with Betty Jo Tucker, Mack Bates, and A.J. Hakari. Who’s the best evil stepmother? What little-known versions of the story should you be sure to see? And who’s right about Cinderfella, Betty Jo (who liked it) or me (I didn’t)? Who’s right about Disney’s 1950 animated Cinderella, Betty Jo (who didn’t like it) or me (I love it!)?

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Film History For Your Netflix Queue Media Appearances

Faith-Based Movie Picks — The Today Show

Posted on March 31, 2015 at 3:13 pm

In honor of Easter and Passover, the Today Show has some good suggestions for faith-based movies, from the very serious and respectful to the light-hearted.

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For Your Netflix Queue Spiritual films

Another “Star is Born” Movie? Possibly, with Bradley Cooper as Director and Beyonce to Star!

Posted on March 30, 2015 at 3:54 pm

A movie that’s already been done three times (at least) may just get yet another remake if the rumors are true that Bradley Cooper will direct and Beyoncé will appear in “A Star is Born.”  The original 1937 version, said to be inspired by (among others) the marriage of aging vaudeville star Al Jolson and rising movie star Ruby Keeler, starred Janet Gaynor as the fresh-faced newcomer and Frederic March as the once-powerful star who is now losing his lustre.

The second version starred Judy Garland and James Mason, with some of Garland’s best-remembered songs, including “The Man That Got Away,” “Swannee,” and “Born in a Trunk.”

The third version starred Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.  “Evergreen” won an Oscar for best song.

Reportedly, Streisand begged Elvis to take the role of the fading rock star. That would have been something to see.

There are similar and related films, including the 1932 film “What Price Hollywood?” directed by George Cukor. Though he grumbled that the story was plagiarized from “What Price Hollywood?” he also directed the Judy Garland version. International adaptations include the Bollywood film “Aashiqui 2” and the Malayalam film “Bharatham.” Reportedly, the idea for “Nashville” came from a comment on a proposed country version of “A Star is Born” that unlike movie stars and rock stars, country stars never fade.

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Film History For Your Netflix Queue

Supercut: Gangsters

Posted on March 25, 2015 at 8:00 am

Movies have been fascinated by gangsters from the beginning, and this stylishly compiled supercut shows us some of the best well worth appreciating not just the art of the actor but also of the director, cinematographer, and production and costume designers.  Don’t you think it’s time to bring back fedoras?

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Film History For Your Netflix Queue Supercuts and Mashups
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