Ghoulies is not the Gremlins rip-off its reputation suggests. The two films were in production at the same time, but budgetary issues delayed the release of Ghoulies. Although it likely benefited from Gremlins‘ success, the similarities begin and end with diminutive monsters. Ghoulies II actually shares more in common with Gremlins, as the first Ghoulies leans more — arguably too much — into the fantasy realm.
From producer Charles Band’s Empire Pictures, the 1985 horror-comedy is directed by Luca Bercovici (Rockula) from a script he co-wrote with producer Jefery Levy. At just over 80 minutes, the film doesn’t waste time trying to make sense of its messy plot.
When Jonathan Graves (Peter Liapis) inherits an old manor from the father he never knew, he does what any 20-something with newfound freedom would do: throw a party. Something wills Jonathan to perform a ritual from an old book he finds among his father’s occult paraphernalia,...
From producer Charles Band’s Empire Pictures, the 1985 horror-comedy is directed by Luca Bercovici (Rockula) from a script he co-wrote with producer Jefery Levy. At just over 80 minutes, the film doesn’t waste time trying to make sense of its messy plot.
When Jonathan Graves (Peter Liapis) inherits an old manor from the father he never knew, he does what any 20-something with newfound freedom would do: throw a party. Something wills Jonathan to perform a ritual from an old book he finds among his father’s occult paraphernalia,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
Last year, Umbrella Entertainment gave the 1985 creature feature Ghoulies (watch it Here) a Blu-ray release in Australia that contained three different cults of the movie, and also packaged it with its first sequel. Now Mvd Rewind Collection has announced that they’re giving Ghoulies a special edition release as well – and this one is going to be Blu-ray and 4K Uhd! The street date is September 12.
Directed by Luca Bercovici from a script he wrote with Jefery Levy, the first Ghoulies has the following synopsis: As a child, Jonathan (Peter Liapis) was almost killed by his father, Malcolm (Michael Des Barres), during a satanic ritual. After being saved and raised by Wolfgang (Jack Nance), who has kept him unaware of his background, Jonathan inherits Malcolm’s house and moves in with girlfriend Rebecca (Lisa Pelikan). Through his explorations of the house, he begins unlocking the secrets and latent powers contained within his new found home.
Directed by Luca Bercovici from a script he wrote with Jefery Levy, the first Ghoulies has the following synopsis: As a child, Jonathan (Peter Liapis) was almost killed by his father, Malcolm (Michael Des Barres), during a satanic ritual. After being saved and raised by Wolfgang (Jack Nance), who has kept him unaware of his background, Jonathan inherits Malcolm’s house and moves in with girlfriend Rebecca (Lisa Pelikan). Through his explorations of the house, he begins unlocking the secrets and latent powers contained within his new found home.
- 6/1/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The 1984 cult classic Ghoulies is once again emerging from the toilet with a brand new release, this time joining the 4K LaserVision Collection label from the Mvd Rewind Collection.
Dawn of the Discs brings us the word that Ghoulies will be making its 4K Ultra HD debut on September 12, 2023, the release boasting a brand spankin’ new 4K restoration.
Here’s the full breakdown for the Collector’s Edition 4K + Blu-ray release…
4K Special Features:
2023 4K Restoration (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio in Dolby Vision / Hdr Optional English Subtitles 2.0 Mono DTS-hd Audio Archival 2015 Audio commentary with director Luca Bercovici Archival 2016 Audio commentary by director Luca Bercovici moderated by Jason Andreasen of Terror Transmission Collectible “4K LaserVision” Mini-Poster
Blu-ray Special Features:
2023 HD Restoration of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio Optional English Subtitles 2.0 Mono DTS-hd Audio Archival...
Dawn of the Discs brings us the word that Ghoulies will be making its 4K Ultra HD debut on September 12, 2023, the release boasting a brand spankin’ new 4K restoration.
Here’s the full breakdown for the Collector’s Edition 4K + Blu-ray release…
4K Special Features:
2023 4K Restoration (16-Bit Scan of the Original Camera Negative) of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio in Dolby Vision / Hdr Optional English Subtitles 2.0 Mono DTS-hd Audio Archival 2015 Audio commentary with director Luca Bercovici Archival 2016 Audio commentary by director Luca Bercovici moderated by Jason Andreasen of Terror Transmission Collectible “4K LaserVision” Mini-Poster
Blu-ray Special Features:
2023 HD Restoration of the film presented in its original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio Optional English Subtitles 2.0 Mono DTS-hd Audio Archival...
- 6/1/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Click here to read the full article.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High’s ascension to comedy classic was a slow process.
Amy Heckerling, who had only directed student work to that point, was set to helm an MGM project when it was scrapped amid an actors strike. During the hiatus, producer Art Linson introduced her to Cameron Crowe’s 1981 book, Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story, which the young journalist wrote after spending a year undercover as a high school student.
Linson asked Heckerling to direct Crowe’s screenplay, a fictionalization of real students that focused on Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a sophomore navigating social dynamics and early sexual experiences. The comedy launched the careers of future Oscar winners Sean Penn, as lovable stoner Jeff Spicoli, and Forest Whitaker, playing jock Charles Jefferson — not to mention a teenage Nicolas Cage, credited as Nicolas Coppola in a small role for his first film.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High’s ascension to comedy classic was a slow process.
Amy Heckerling, who had only directed student work to that point, was set to helm an MGM project when it was scrapped amid an actors strike. During the hiatus, producer Art Linson introduced her to Cameron Crowe’s 1981 book, Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story, which the young journalist wrote after spending a year undercover as a high school student.
Linson asked Heckerling to direct Crowe’s screenplay, a fictionalization of real students that focused on Stacy Hamilton (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a sophomore navigating social dynamics and early sexual experiences. The comedy launched the careers of future Oscar winners Sean Penn, as lovable stoner Jeff Spicoli, and Forest Whitaker, playing jock Charles Jefferson — not to mention a teenage Nicolas Cage, credited as Nicolas Coppola in a small role for his first film.
- 8/13/2022
- by Ryan Gajewski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Learn it. Know it. Live it!” The best-remembered teen comedy of the ’80s is also an insightful and unabashed look at real attitudes, behaviors and motivations of young people learning to deal with adult issues. Beyond the hilarious Sean Penn and the luscious Phoebe Cates lies a talent squad of notables and stars-to-be like Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold and Robert Romanus, with appearances by Amanda Wyss, Forest Whitaker, Eric Stoltz, Nicolas Coppola and Anthony Edwards. The stunning feature directing debut of Amy Heckerling, from Cameron Crowe’s undercover high school exposé, should be acknowledged as a modern classic.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 1075
1982 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 89 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date May 11, 2021 / 39.95
Starring: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Phoebe Cates, Ray Walston, Scott Thomson, Vincent Schiavelli, Amanda Wyss, Forest Whitaker, Kelli Maroney, Eric Stoltz, James Russo,...
Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 1075
1982 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 89 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date May 11, 2021 / 39.95
Starring: Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Robert Romanus, Brian Backer, Phoebe Cates, Ray Walston, Scott Thomson, Vincent Schiavelli, Amanda Wyss, Forest Whitaker, Kelli Maroney, Eric Stoltz, James Russo,...
- 5/29/2021
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
If you remember Scott Thomson there are likely a few places you might recall him from, but Police Academy is probably one of the funniest since he played the role of Chad Copeland, one of the poor, hapless saps that gets drawn into being a henchman that gets dumped on repeatedly. In all fairness the character kind of did ask for a lot of the stuff that came his way since in comedies it’s usually better to go along with those that are carefree and more willing to play fast and loose with the system than be too uptight. But
Whatever Happened to Scott Thomson?...
Whatever Happened to Scott Thomson?...
- 4/18/2020
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
by Scott Thomson
Two Grand High thesps of the most esteemed order playing against each other in a cunning game of deceit. A surefire winning recipe, right? Maybe not.
Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Helen Mirren are most certainly having a gay old time together, practically purring in each calculated exchange with one another. It is not often enough that we get to see the screen shared by a pair of Britain’s most beloved (capital ‘A’) Actors but this is far from enough to lift The Good Liar from the escalating preposterousness that clouds the fun within. It reads like an “oh my God what if we did this thing...” kind of idea conjured by a drunken playwright after too many Merlots round Sir Ian’s pub on a Saturday evening. The result is a film perhaps best enjoyed in a similar state...
Two Grand High thesps of the most esteemed order playing against each other in a cunning game of deceit. A surefire winning recipe, right? Maybe not.
Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Helen Mirren are most certainly having a gay old time together, practically purring in each calculated exchange with one another. It is not often enough that we get to see the screen shared by a pair of Britain’s most beloved (capital ‘A’) Actors but this is far from enough to lift The Good Liar from the escalating preposterousness that clouds the fun within. It reads like an “oh my God what if we did this thing...” kind of idea conjured by a drunken playwright after too many Merlots round Sir Ian’s pub on a Saturday evening. The result is a film perhaps best enjoyed in a similar state...
- 11/17/2019
- by Scott Thomson
- FilmExperience
Nope, this isn’t the new Bong Joon-ho movie, but a 3-D oldie from 1982. Although it’s by no means a great picture, fans equipped for Blu-ray 3-D will want to take a look — the depth effects fashioned with the over’n’under Sterevision system are some of the best yet. Stan Winston provides director Charles Band with the ‘Alien’ rip-off title critters, and added interest is provided via an early appearance by Demi Moore, who sleepwalks through her part but certainly looks good. A full complement of extras tell the making-of story; the feature is also encoded in 2-D, for really imaginative viewers.
Parasite
Blu-ray 3-D Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1982 / Color & 3d / 2:35 widescreen / 85 min. / Available from Kino Lorber / Street Date October 22, 2019 / 29.95
Starring: Robert Glaudini, Demi Moore, Luca Bercovici, James Davidson, Al Fann, Tom Villard, Scott Thomson, Cherie Currie, Vivian Blaine, James Cavan, Joannelle Nadine Romero, Freddy Moore, Natalie May,...
Parasite
Blu-ray 3-D Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1982 / Color & 3d / 2:35 widescreen / 85 min. / Available from Kino Lorber / Street Date October 22, 2019 / 29.95
Starring: Robert Glaudini, Demi Moore, Luca Bercovici, James Davidson, Al Fann, Tom Villard, Scott Thomson, Cherie Currie, Vivian Blaine, James Cavan, Joannelle Nadine Romero, Freddy Moore, Natalie May,...
- 10/19/2019
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Please welcome guest contributor Scott Thomson, who just participated in the Critics Mentorship Programme at the London Film Festival. We've invited him to tell us about his favourites from the festival, which just concluded. -Editor
Monos, Colombia's Oscar submission, won the film festival's top honors
by Scott Thomson
The programming team at the London Film Festival delivered a magnificent slate of films this year, working within a series of expertly curated strands to shape the programme into something that caters to all tastes. This year there was a focus on developing a hub for the Festival, with a schedule of free events to generate a more connected and interactive vibe. As London falls fairly late in the Festival calendar, it does not tend to get a great deal of World Premieres, but the buzz and atmosphere around both the larger and smaller offerings is undeniable and Lff deserves a lot...
Monos, Colombia's Oscar submission, won the film festival's top honors
by Scott Thomson
The programming team at the London Film Festival delivered a magnificent slate of films this year, working within a series of expertly curated strands to shape the programme into something that caters to all tastes. This year there was a focus on developing a hub for the Festival, with a schedule of free events to generate a more connected and interactive vibe. As London falls fairly late in the Festival calendar, it does not tend to get a great deal of World Premieres, but the buzz and atmosphere around both the larger and smaller offerings is undeniable and Lff deserves a lot...
- 10/18/2019
- by Scott Thomson
- FilmExperience
Stars: Ferdy Mayne, Leon Askin, Jeffrey Combs, Luca Bercovici, Nita Talbot, Leon Askin, Jennifer Starrett, Barbara Pilavin, Alan Stock | Written and Directed by Norman Thaddeus Vane
Fandom takes on a whole new meaning when a group of film loving college students decide to pay the ultimate respects to their favourite horror icon, the recently deceased Conrad Radzoff (Ferdy Mayne). How do they do this? Hold a memorial? Have a Radzoff horror marathon? Nope, they decide to steal his freshly buried body and give hime the ultimate farewell house party back in their mansion! Like most cases however, this is one of those instances were one of your heroes is actually an arsehole (Cough-Tom Savini-Cough!). You see, Radzoff had an often fatal temper. Not even a cameo from Leon Askin (The Robe) is safe! To make matters infinitely worse for our group of corpse stealing cinephiles, Mayne decides to...
Fandom takes on a whole new meaning when a group of film loving college students decide to pay the ultimate respects to their favourite horror icon, the recently deceased Conrad Radzoff (Ferdy Mayne). How do they do this? Hold a memorial? Have a Radzoff horror marathon? Nope, they decide to steal his freshly buried body and give hime the ultimate farewell house party back in their mansion! Like most cases however, this is one of those instances were one of your heroes is actually an arsehole (Cough-Tom Savini-Cough!). You see, Radzoff had an often fatal temper. Not even a cameo from Leon Askin (The Robe) is safe! To make matters infinitely worse for our group of corpse stealing cinephiles, Mayne decides to...
- 9/11/2018
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
April showers bring May flowers unless you are the fine folks over at Shudder, where this month brings four of Stephen King's spooky films! Also: The Ghoulies Companion, the 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park at Universal Studios Hollywood, Steel City Underground Film Festival announced, Sequence Break's premiere, and Gravitas Ventures' acquisition of Broken Star.
Shudder Honors Stephen King: Press Release: (April 30, 2018, New York, NY) – Shudder, the leading premium streaming service for thriller, suspense, and horror, is turning May into Stephen King Month with a selection of the best movies and miniseries from the monarch of horror. These hard-to-find thrillers, including the original It miniseries, Salem’s Lot, Creepshow and Cat’s Eye, will be available exclusively to Shudder members beginning May 1, 2018:
It - It rises from dank, dark places. It preys on children. It knows exactly what scares you and It never goes away. This 1990 TV...
Shudder Honors Stephen King: Press Release: (April 30, 2018, New York, NY) – Shudder, the leading premium streaming service for thriller, suspense, and horror, is turning May into Stephen King Month with a selection of the best movies and miniseries from the monarch of horror. These hard-to-find thrillers, including the original It miniseries, Salem’s Lot, Creepshow and Cat’s Eye, will be available exclusively to Shudder members beginning May 1, 2018:
It - It rises from dank, dark places. It preys on children. It knows exactly what scares you and It never goes away. This 1990 TV...
- 5/7/2018
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Ghoulies
Stars: Peter Liapis, Lisa Pelikan, Michael Des Barres, Jack Nance, Mariska Hargitay, Scott Thomson, Ralph Seymour | Written by Luca Bercovici, Jefery Levy | Directed by Luca Bercovici
Ghoulies 2
Stars: Damon Martin, Royal Dano, Phil Fondacaro, J. Downing, Kerry Remsen, Donnie Jeffcoat, Dale Wyatt | Written by Charlie Dolan, Dennis Paoli, Luca Bercovici | Directed by Albert Band
For my film-loving friends and I, Ghoulies and its immediate sequel were almost rites of passage growing up – I distinctly remember renting them from not only the local video shop but also that strange guy that used to park on the street corner renting tapes out of his boot (or, if he was more successful, the back of a transit van). You know the one, he’d have the craziest VHS tapes you’d ever seen – Class of Nuke Em High, Black Roses, The Toxic Avenger, Ghoulies… all films that sold themselves on artwork alone.
Stars: Peter Liapis, Lisa Pelikan, Michael Des Barres, Jack Nance, Mariska Hargitay, Scott Thomson, Ralph Seymour | Written by Luca Bercovici, Jefery Levy | Directed by Luca Bercovici
Ghoulies 2
Stars: Damon Martin, Royal Dano, Phil Fondacaro, J. Downing, Kerry Remsen, Donnie Jeffcoat, Dale Wyatt | Written by Charlie Dolan, Dennis Paoli, Luca Bercovici | Directed by Albert Band
For my film-loving friends and I, Ghoulies and its immediate sequel were almost rites of passage growing up – I distinctly remember renting them from not only the local video shop but also that strange guy that used to park on the street corner renting tapes out of his boot (or, if he was more successful, the back of a transit van). You know the one, he’d have the craziest VHS tapes you’d ever seen – Class of Nuke Em High, Black Roses, The Toxic Avenger, Ghoulies… all films that sold themselves on artwork alone.
- 4/5/2016
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Though it’s often remembered as one of the many Gremlins rip-offs of the ‘80s, Ghoulies has its origins in 1983 (or a year before Gremlins hit screens), when producer Charles Band and creature effects guru Stan Winston dreamed up a film called Beasties about a bunch of small creatures wreaking havoc on a group of young people. It underwent some changes on the way to the screen: rather than Band directing as originally planned, the film would be helmed by actor Luca Bercovici, who had previously worked for Band on 1982’s Parasite. Stan Winston would not design the creatures, either; those duties fell to John Carl Buechler. And despite what its title might suggest, there wouldn’t end up being very many ghoulies in Ghoulies.
Instead, the 1984 film focuses mainly on a man (Peter Liapis) who inherits a mansion from his father (rocker Richard Des Barres) and ends up conjuring...
Instead, the 1984 film focuses mainly on a man (Peter Liapis) who inherits a mansion from his father (rocker Richard Des Barres) and ends up conjuring...
- 4/11/2015
- by Patrick Bromley
- DailyDead
As we say in our review of 2 Guns, don’t let the film’s August release date fool you into thinking it’s not one of summer’s funnest rides. Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg star as an undercover DEA agent and naval intelligence officer, respectively, who’ve infiltrated a narcotics syndicate with the goal of bringing down drug kingpin Papi Greco (Edward James Olmos). The catch: Neither of them knows the other guy isn’t a real criminal until they receive orders to steal $3 million of Papi’s cash from a Savings & Loan but find $40 million more in the vault than they should.
- 8/2/2013
- by Mandi Bierly
- EW - Inside Movies
Director Amy Heckerling reteams with actress Alicia Silverstone for the upcoming comedy Vamps. Previously these two filmmakers worked together on Clueless (1995), another comedy. This time out, Silverstone plays Goody, a vampire playing it straight. Goody and Stacy forgo a life of feeding on blood for love, when the New York City dating life is more tempting than a night living in the dark. Recently, this production completed filming and here is your early look at the film's cast and latest axe-grinding photo.
Release Date: 2012.
Director/writer: Amy Heckerling.
Producers: Maria Teresa Arida, James Belfer, Adam Brightman, Stuart Cornfeld, Peter Fruchtman, Marek Gabryjelski, Molly Hassell , John Jencks, Lee Kramer, Julie Kroll, Brock Laborde, Kevin Ragsdale, Anna Rozalska, Mike Shevell and Stanislaw Tyczynski.
Cast: Alicia Silverstone, Krysten Ritter, Sigourney Weaver, Dan Stevens, Richard Lewis, Wallace Shawn, Justin Kirk, Malcolm McDowell, Zak Orth, Marilu Henner, Scott Thomson, Todd Barry, Kristen Johnston, and Meredith Scott Lynn.
Release Date: 2012.
Director/writer: Amy Heckerling.
Producers: Maria Teresa Arida, James Belfer, Adam Brightman, Stuart Cornfeld, Peter Fruchtman, Marek Gabryjelski, Molly Hassell , John Jencks, Lee Kramer, Julie Kroll, Brock Laborde, Kevin Ragsdale, Anna Rozalska, Mike Shevell and Stanislaw Tyczynski.
Cast: Alicia Silverstone, Krysten Ritter, Sigourney Weaver, Dan Stevens, Richard Lewis, Wallace Shawn, Justin Kirk, Malcolm McDowell, Zak Orth, Marilu Henner, Scott Thomson, Todd Barry, Kristen Johnston, and Meredith Scott Lynn.
- 8/25/2011
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Dark Horizons runs across a quote in the Las Vegas Sun about the status of Steven Soderbergh’s biopic Liberace, in which Michael Douglas would play the sparkly virtuoso, and...
- 7/7/2010
- by Ryan Adams
- AwardsDaily.com
I saw Jerry Weintraub on Larry King the other night. He was promoting his new book, filled with stories about being the guy who made big time concerts happen for Elvis and Sinatra when their careers needed a lift and stories about being the guy who produced the Ocean's movies with Clooney and Pitt and made the original Karate Kid.
One thing he briefly touched on toward the end of the interview was the upcoming Liberace bio-pic starring Michael Douglas as the legendary Vegas entertainer and Matt Damon as his longtime lover, Scott Thorson, for director Steven Soderbergh. Weintraub said it would shoot soon, and Damon confirms that plan to Las Vegas Sun, although not that soon.
"Yeah, it's going to happen. We're going to do it next summer," Damon said. "Richard Lagravenese has written a really great script and, you know, hopefully it will be a really great movie.
One thing he briefly touched on toward the end of the interview was the upcoming Liberace bio-pic starring Michael Douglas as the legendary Vegas entertainer and Matt Damon as his longtime lover, Scott Thorson, for director Steven Soderbergh. Weintraub said it would shoot soon, and Damon confirms that plan to Las Vegas Sun, although not that soon.
"Yeah, it's going to happen. We're going to do it next summer," Damon said. "Richard Lagravenese has written a really great script and, you know, hopefully it will be a really great movie.
- 7/7/2010
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
I can't think of any year when Matt Damon wasn't riding high, but 2010 seems to be a whole new phase of pervasiveness, undoubtedly due to that Invictus Best Supporting Actor nomination. Not only does he have a deal or two brewing with Ben Affleck and Warner Bros, Deadline Hollywood Daily reports that he's eying another true life tale -- a biopic of Robert F. Kennedy.
The film will be based on Evan Thomas' Kennedy biography Robert Kennedy: His Life, and has Gary Ross attached to direct, and Steven Knight handling the script. Dhd says that Damon is waiting to officially sign on until he sees the script. But it would suggest he has taken a shine to playing real life individuals after The Informant! (based on a true story, though I'm not certain how much Damon's Mark Whitacre has in common with the real man) and Invictus. He's...
The film will be based on Evan Thomas' Kennedy biography Robert Kennedy: His Life, and has Gary Ross attached to direct, and Steven Knight handling the script. Dhd says that Damon is waiting to officially sign on until he sees the script. But it would suggest he has taken a shine to playing real life individuals after The Informant! (based on a true story, though I'm not certain how much Damon's Mark Whitacre has in common with the real man) and Invictus. He's...
- 2/24/2010
- by Elisabeth Rappe
- Cinematical
Michael Douglas has heaped praise on Matt Damon for agreeing to play his gay lover in a new biopic about flamboyant pianist Liberace.
Douglas will play the Polish-Italian musician in Steven Soderbergh's as-yet-untitled film, while Damon has been drafted in to play his boyfriend Scott Thorson.
And he commends Damon for balancing out his blockbuster films, including the Bourne trilogy, with more unusual projects like their upcoming collaboration.
He says, "I'm just going to get really comfortable so (my portrayal of Liberace) is not a caricature. Matt Damon's going to be my young lover. God bless Matt. He's right to take chances. It's smart to mix it up a bit and maintain the franchise and still get to do a picture that turns you on."
Liberace - real name Wladziu Valentino Liberace - was a huge star in the 1950s and 60s, famous for his showmanship and glittery suits.
He repeatedly refused to acknowledge his homosexuality, right up until his death from AIDS in 1987, at the age of 67 - even successfully suing a British tabloid for suggesting he was gay.
Douglas will play the Polish-Italian musician in Steven Soderbergh's as-yet-untitled film, while Damon has been drafted in to play his boyfriend Scott Thorson.
And he commends Damon for balancing out his blockbuster films, including the Bourne trilogy, with more unusual projects like their upcoming collaboration.
He says, "I'm just going to get really comfortable so (my portrayal of Liberace) is not a caricature. Matt Damon's going to be my young lover. God bless Matt. He's right to take chances. It's smart to mix it up a bit and maintain the franchise and still get to do a picture that turns you on."
Liberace - real name Wladziu Valentino Liberace - was a huge star in the 1950s and 60s, famous for his showmanship and glittery suits.
He repeatedly refused to acknowledge his homosexuality, right up until his death from AIDS in 1987, at the age of 67 - even successfully suing a British tabloid for suggesting he was gay.
- 2/11/2010
- WENN
Big Love star, Bill Paxton, recently spoke with that online outlet Bullz-Eye to promote the new season of HBO’s hit series. In the interview he mentioned that he recently had a meeting with producer Kathleen Kennedy about making Twister 2, a direct sequel to the original Twister that also starred Helen Hunt in 1996. The idea began to percolate with Paxton when he visited the Ozarks with Scott Thomson who played Preacher in Twister. Here is what Paxton had to say about the project:
“We spent the night, and the next morning we got up and we started tracking the trail of the most famous tornado that ever hit the country, which was the Tri-State Tornado of 1925. It still holds all of the records. It was called the Tri-State because it was a mile wide when it came down from the sky on the afternoon of March 16, 1925, and it was a rural area,...
“We spent the night, and the next morning we got up and we started tracking the trail of the most famous tornado that ever hit the country, which was the Tri-State Tornado of 1925. It still holds all of the records. It was called the Tri-State because it was a mile wide when it came down from the sky on the afternoon of March 16, 1925, and it was a rural area,...
- 1/8/2010
- by Kevin Coll
- FusedFilm
Bill Paxton sure is! Bullz-Eye got a chance to talk to the "Big Love" star, who revealed he has pitched an idea for a 3D sequel to Twister to producer Kathleen Kennedy. The original was released in 1996 and earned $494.5 million worldwide. Paxton told the site that the idea for a sequel came as a result of a trip that he took to the Ozark Mountains last spring: "I flew into St. Louis with my buddy Scott Thomson, who played Preacher in 'Twister,' and we rented a car and drove down to southeastern Missouri, into the Ozarks," said Paxton. "We spent the night, and the next morning we got up and we started tracking the trail of the most famous tornado that ever hit the country, which was the Tri-State Tornado of 1925. It still holds all of the records....
- 1/8/2010
- Comingsoon.net
Bill Paxton has revealed that he has pitched an idea for a Twister sequel. Speaking to Bullz-Eye, the actor explained that he came up with a storyline for a follow-up to the 1996 hit after taking a trip through Missouri with his Twister co-star Scott Thomson. Paxton told the website that he was inspired while following the route of the famous 1925 Tri-State Tornado, which crossed the Mississippi and cut into Southern Illinois. "We just did that to get some ideas, and from that I extrapolated an idea for a sequel," Paxton said. "And I kind of put that together into a format, and now we're waiting to see if that's going to move forward." (more)...
- 1/8/2010
- by By Simon Reynolds
- Digital Spy
In a new interview with Bullz-Eye (and reported over at Premium Hollywood), actor Bill Paxton revealed that he has pitched an idea for a 3-D sequel to 1996's Twister to producer Kathleen Kennedy, who produced the original film. Paxton spent some time in the Ozark Mountains last spring, where his trip prompted an idea for a new story. Here's how he explained it:
"I flew into St. Louis with my buddy Scott Thomson, who played Preacher in 'Twister,' and we rented a car and drove down to southeastern Missouri, into the Ozarks," he explained. "We spent the night, and the next morning we got up and we started tracking the trail of the most famous tornado that ever hit the country, which was the Tri-State Tornado of 1925. It still holds all of the records. It was called the Tri-State because it was a mile wide when it came...
"I flew into St. Louis with my buddy Scott Thomson, who played Preacher in 'Twister,' and we rented a car and drove down to southeastern Missouri, into the Ozarks," he explained. "We spent the night, and the next morning we got up and we started tracking the trail of the most famous tornado that ever hit the country, which was the Tri-State Tornado of 1925. It still holds all of the records. It was called the Tri-State because it was a mile wide when it came...
- 1/8/2010
- CinemaSpy
The original reality show broke ground with Pedro.
On November 11, 1994, the day after the final episode of The Real World: San Francisco aired, Pedro Zamora succumbed to complications from AIDS. Most of the world had only known him since June of that year, but the 22-year-old had made the most of the short time he’d spent on earth.
Born in Cuba, raised in Miami, Pedro was diagnosed as HIV+ while still in high school, and had dedicated his life to being an educator on the disease. Prior to appearing on the groundbreaking MTV reality show, he had already spoken about the disease with Oprah Winfrey, Phil Donahue, and before a session of Congress.
But it was by appearing on The Real World: San Francisco that he managed to have a global impact. For many young people, Pedro was the first real, out gay man they ever saw...
On November 11, 1994, the day after the final episode of The Real World: San Francisco aired, Pedro Zamora succumbed to complications from AIDS. Most of the world had only known him since June of that year, but the 22-year-old had made the most of the short time he’d spent on earth.
Born in Cuba, raised in Miami, Pedro was diagnosed as HIV+ while still in high school, and had dedicated his life to being an educator on the disease. Prior to appearing on the groundbreaking MTV reality show, he had already spoken about the disease with Oprah Winfrey, Phil Donahue, and before a session of Congress.
But it was by appearing on The Real World: San Francisco that he managed to have a global impact. For many young people, Pedro was the first real, out gay man they ever saw...
- 11/12/2009
- by lostinmiami
- The Backlot
The life story of Wladziu Valentino Liberace has always been intriguing and very filmic. Flashy, flamboyant, and yes, closeted, Liberace regaled everyone and became one of the most interesting pop culture icons.
Now, I'm hearing that Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh is getting ready to make a film about the master showman with Matt Damon and Michael Douglas attached to the project!
Douglas will play Liberace while Damon will star as his partner/companion, Scott Thorson. Soderbergh tells MTV news, "Everybody is hopeful that there will be a full-on, love-wrestling match between these guys...That's not where my mind went, but we have a hot-tub scene in there."
Damon told MTV that he and Douglas were getting ready for some kissing scenes. "I saw Michael last night...he looks at me and goes, 'Get your Chapstick ready!' "
Salacious :happy
Soderbergh revealed that his film version will be told from the perspective of Thorson.
Now, I'm hearing that Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh is getting ready to make a film about the master showman with Matt Damon and Michael Douglas attached to the project!
Douglas will play Liberace while Damon will star as his partner/companion, Scott Thorson. Soderbergh tells MTV news, "Everybody is hopeful that there will be a full-on, love-wrestling match between these guys...That's not where my mind went, but we have a hot-tub scene in there."
Damon told MTV that he and Douglas were getting ready for some kissing scenes. "I saw Michael last night...he looks at me and goes, 'Get your Chapstick ready!' "
Salacious :happy
Soderbergh revealed that his film version will be told from the perspective of Thorson.
- 10/9/2009
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
A sex scene between Michael Douglas and Matt Damon isn't exactly my idea of a dream come true, but apparently it is in the circle Steven Soderbergh runs in. He's about to get started on his Liberace biopic, in which Douglas will play the famously bedazzled singer and Damon will play Scott Thorson, Liberace's young companion and lover who sued for $133 million after their relationship ended. And while there might not be "a full-on, love-wrestling match between these guys," in Soderbergh's words, there will at least be bathing suits. Soderbergh told MTV "We have a hot tub scene in there," which really demands one question-- did Liberace's bathing suit have diamonds on it? Soderbergh also had some interesting thoughts on what the tone of the film would be, especially given that he's just made a comedy, The Informant, out of a true story that would more commonly be given drama...
- 10/8/2009
- cinemablend.com
It's been a long time since we've heard anything about Steven Soderbergh's Liberace biopic, but now that The Informant has wrapped, he’s opening up about his plans to chronicle the life of the flamboyant singer. Talking to MTV, he addresses the potential love scenes we could be seeing between Liberace (Michael Douglas) and Scott Thorson (Matt Damon). "Everybody is hopeful that there will be a full-on, love-wrestling match between these guys," the "Ocean's"...
- 10/8/2009
- by Paul Tassi
- JoBlo.com
Steven Soderbergh, fresh off The Informant!, discussed with MTV Movies Blog the tone of his upcoming Liberace biopic, which will feature Michael Douglas as the glamor god himself and Matt Damon as his young lover, Scott Thorson.
According to MTV’s in-depth research of the subject,
“Thorson met Liberace when he was 17 years old and was hired by the performer as a friend and companion, a role that had him flying all over the world and getting flooded with lavish gifts. After their relationship ended due to promiscuity and drug addiction, Thorson filed a headline-grabbing $133 million lawsuit against Liberace.”
Sounds like some good material for a film that seems like it’s shaping up to be an otherwise inconsequential footnote in Soderbergh’s sophisticated career. The director also talked about the tone of the film, which will straddle a line between drama and obvious comedy:
“I don’t think it’s a comedy,...
According to MTV’s in-depth research of the subject,
“Thorson met Liberace when he was 17 years old and was hired by the performer as a friend and companion, a role that had him flying all over the world and getting flooded with lavish gifts. After their relationship ended due to promiscuity and drug addiction, Thorson filed a headline-grabbing $133 million lawsuit against Liberace.”
Sounds like some good material for a film that seems like it’s shaping up to be an otherwise inconsequential footnote in Soderbergh’s sophisticated career. The director also talked about the tone of the film, which will straddle a line between drama and obvious comedy:
“I don’t think it’s a comedy,...
- 10/8/2009
- by John Cooper
- Atomic Popcorn
'The Informant!' director promises hot-tub scene between Matt Damon and Michael Douglas.
By Larry Carroll, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Liberace
Photo: Getty Images
Without a doubt, one of the more intriguing biopic scripts that has been kicking around Hollywood in recent years has to be the story of Wladziu Valentino Liberace. A master showman, diamond-flashing pianist, somewhat-closeted public figure and Batman villain, he led one of the most interesting pop-culture lives of the 20th century. Now, Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh is getting ready to make the project into a reality — and put Matt Damon and Michael Douglas into a hot tub together.
"Everybody is hopeful that there will be a full-on, love-wrestling match between these guys," the "Ocean's" filmmaker revealed to us recently when we caught up with him, discussing a soon-to-be-filmed gay love story depicting the five-year romance between Liberace (Douglas) and his more-than-30-years-younger companion Scott Thorson...
By Larry Carroll, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
Liberace
Photo: Getty Images
Without a doubt, one of the more intriguing biopic scripts that has been kicking around Hollywood in recent years has to be the story of Wladziu Valentino Liberace. A master showman, diamond-flashing pianist, somewhat-closeted public figure and Batman villain, he led one of the most interesting pop-culture lives of the 20th century. Now, Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh is getting ready to make the project into a reality — and put Matt Damon and Michael Douglas into a hot tub together.
"Everybody is hopeful that there will be a full-on, love-wrestling match between these guys," the "Ocean's" filmmaker revealed to us recently when we caught up with him, discussing a soon-to-be-filmed gay love story depicting the five-year romance between Liberace (Douglas) and his more-than-30-years-younger companion Scott Thorson...
- 10/7/2009
- MTV Movie News
It's not exactly news to some of you but since there hasn't been much activity about the project in just about a year, it's a good time to remind you that Michael Douglas will play Liberace. And that Matt Damon will play the Vegas entertainer's lover, Scott Thorson. Kind of a stretch for both guys, I'm thinking.
But there is progress by way of director Steven Soderbergh, who told a French newspaper at the Deauville Film Festival, "We've already done some costume and wardrobe tests on Michael, and they're very, very, very good."
"I swear to you, Michael amazed me. He crushed it," added the director.
But there is progress by way of director Steven Soderbergh, who told a French newspaper at the Deauville Film Festival, "We've already done some costume and wardrobe tests on Michael, and they're very, very, very good."
"I swear to you, Michael amazed me. He crushed it," added the director.
- 9/17/2009
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
Matt Damon and Michael Douglas may raise a few eyebrows with their next movie. The two have signed on for a biopic about the life of American entertainer Liberace. As you may know, Liberace was believed to be a homosexual, and had a live-in boyfriend who was much younger than he was. He sued Liberace for $113 million in palimony, despite the entertainer’s vehement denial that he was gay. According to USA Today, Damon will play Liberace’s lover Scott Thorson, while Douglas will play the main role. Douglas told Canada’s Sun Media, “Matt’s going to...
- 9/15/2009
- Hollyscoop.com
I don't expect many of you out there to care about this, but since I'm a big Steven Soderbergh fan, I'm always looking forward to what he's got coming up next. As for Soderbergh's current line-up: The Girlfriend Experience is now playing in theaters, The Informant is due out in October, and he'll start shooting Moneyball later this year. Soderbergh tells Salon that after that, though, will be Liberace, his biopic about the gay pianist Liberace. It was first announced last year that Michael Douglas would star and Matt Damon would play Scott Thorson, the man who sued Liberace in 1982. A few more updates on this below. Our good friends at ScreenCrave caught up with Soderbergh recently (an opportunity I missed because I was in Cannes) and got a few minor updates out of him about Liberace, for those who may be interested. "We're trying to get this Liberace movie...
- 5/28/2009
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Steven Sodenbergh is fresh from sealing his deal with IFC for the distribution of his 4 hour Che epic, is now all set to direct a movie on Liberace for Warner Bros.
The filmmaker has just given word that he has drafted the script, which will star Michael Douglas as the flamboyant pianist.
Richard Lagravanese is writing the script, and Jerry Weintraub will produce. He is now in discussions with Matt Damon to play Scott Thorson, who sued Liberace in 1982 for 113 million dollars in palimony, claiming he was the entertainer’s companion for five years....
(more...)...
The filmmaker has just given word that he has drafted the script, which will star Michael Douglas as the flamboyant pianist.
Richard Lagravanese is writing the script, and Jerry Weintraub will produce. He is now in discussions with Matt Damon to play Scott Thorson, who sued Liberace in 1982 for 113 million dollars in palimony, claiming he was the entertainer’s companion for five years....
(more...)...
- 9/16/2008
- by John
- ReelSuave.com
Hot on the heels of selling his controversial four-hour Che Guevara bio-pic to IFC, director Steven Soderbergh is tackling another revolutionary. That's right: Liberace.
Though it won't be his next film or even the one after that - Variety reports he has a call girl movie to make first called The Girlfriend Experience - Soderbergh will tickle the ivories of one of the most famous Las Vegas showmen of them all. The choice to play Liberace is strange but exciting: Michael Douglas.
I applaud Douglas for taking a risk like this in his late 80s, and it tells us this won't be a sweeping look at Liberace's entire life. Here's a real eyebrow-raiser, though: Matt Damon may play Scott Thorson, who claimed in a 1982 lawsuit that he had been Liberace's lover for about five years. He eventually settled for about $100,000 in palimony, maybe a little less, but he originally sued for,...
Though it won't be his next film or even the one after that - Variety reports he has a call girl movie to make first called The Girlfriend Experience - Soderbergh will tickle the ivories of one of the most famous Las Vegas showmen of them all. The choice to play Liberace is strange but exciting: Michael Douglas.
I applaud Douglas for taking a risk like this in his late 80s, and it tells us this won't be a sweeping look at Liberace's entire life. Here's a real eyebrow-raiser, though: Matt Damon may play Scott Thorson, who claimed in a 1982 lawsuit that he had been Liberace's lover for about five years. He eventually settled for about $100,000 in palimony, maybe a little less, but he originally sued for,...
- 9/12/2008
- by Colin Boyd
- GetTheBigPicture.net
The word is out that Michael Douglas has signed on to an unititled Liberace biopic. Steven Soderbergh is slated to direct and Richard Lagravanese will be writing the script. The first reaction is Huh? The second reaction is Awesome! If anyone can pull this off, it is this collection of talent. (Matt Damon, by the way, is in talks to play his litigious ex-lover Scott Thorson.) Soderbergh’s films are always innovative and Douglas, although he’s done some clunkers, has always been a fearless performer. I say, take a look at these two clips and see if you can’t connect the dots.
- 9/11/2008
- UGO Movies
Steven Soderbergh is making a biopic of a famous historical of the 20th century, starring one of the stars of his 2000 movie Traffic. No, not Che with Benicio del Toro-- in fact, about as different from Che as you can get. Brace yourselves: Michael Douglas is going to star in Steven Soderbergh's biopic about Liberace. Liberace! The man known as much for his flamboyant style as his piano playing, and who died of AIDS in 1987 after decades of denying he was gay. And it gets even better: Variety says that Matt Damon is in talks to play Scott Thorson, the man who sued Liberace in the 80s while claiming to have been the musician's partner for five years. I love the idea of a Liberace biopic, given what a fascinating figure he was, and even think Douglas could be the man to pull it off. But it's kind of...
- 9/11/2008
- cinemablend.com
Women loved him, men wanted to be him, and now Steven Soderbergh wants to tell us all about him. (One of those claims may actually be false.) According to Variety, Soderbergh is developing a biopic of the flamboyant pianist for Warner Bros -- naturally, he'll be directing, and the busiest pen in Hollywood, Richard Lagravanese, is writing the script.
More interesting than that is the casting -- Soderbergh says he's actually drafted his old Traffic star Michael Douglas to play the man of a thousand candlelabras. He's also in talks with Matt Damon to play Scott Thorson, the man who sued Liberace for palimony, claiming they had been in a relationship for five years. To this day, apparently no one really knows what Liberace's sexual orientation was -- even Alice Cooper couldn't figure it out upon meeting him. (Thanks, Soderbergh! I learned something already.)
Despite everything being in place, this...
More interesting than that is the casting -- Soderbergh says he's actually drafted his old Traffic star Michael Douglas to play the man of a thousand candlelabras. He's also in talks with Matt Damon to play Scott Thorson, the man who sued Liberace for palimony, claiming they had been in a relationship for five years. To this day, apparently no one really knows what Liberace's sexual orientation was -- even Alice Cooper couldn't figure it out upon meeting him. (Thanks, Soderbergh! I learned something already.)
Despite everything being in place, this...
- 9/11/2008
- by Elisabeth Rappe
- Cinematical
Michael Douglas is set to play Liberace in a biopic of the flamboyant Polish-Italian pianist.
Steven Soderbergh is busy developing the project, and has drafted in Richard LaGravanese to write the script.
Soderbergh also wants Matt Damon to play Scott Thorson, who sued Liberace for palimony in 1982, claiming the pair was lovers.
Liberace - real name Wladziu Valentino Liberace - was a huge star in the 1950s and 60s, famous for his showmanship and glittery suits.
He repeatedly refused to acknowledge his homosexuality, right up until his death from AIDS in 1987, at the age of 67 - even successfully suing a British tabloid for suggesting he was gay.
No release date is currently scheduled.
Steven Soderbergh is busy developing the project, and has drafted in Richard LaGravanese to write the script.
Soderbergh also wants Matt Damon to play Scott Thorson, who sued Liberace for palimony in 1982, claiming the pair was lovers.
Liberace - real name Wladziu Valentino Liberace - was a huge star in the 1950s and 60s, famous for his showmanship and glittery suits.
He repeatedly refused to acknowledge his homosexuality, right up until his death from AIDS in 1987, at the age of 67 - even successfully suing a British tabloid for suggesting he was gay.
No release date is currently scheduled.
- 9/11/2008
- WENN
Michael Douglas will portray Liberace in a biopic written by Richard LaGravenese (The Fisher King) and directed by Steven Soderbergh, which is only slightly less bizarre than the news two years ago that Nicolas Cage was to produce and star in a Liberace film written by the partners in parody Aaron Seltzer and Jason Friedberg (Disaster Movie). Soderbergh's project will also involve his Ocean's series producer, Jerry Weintraub, and Matt Damon, who will portray Liberace's purported lover, Scott Thorson. The second deal announced this week regarding a sci-fi version of The Fugitive: <a href="http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117992019.html? ...
- 9/11/2008
- by Christopher Campbell
- Spout
Although Oscar winning director Steven Soderbergh is still focused on making sure his Che double feature gets out in theaters properly, he's also working on early planning for another film. Soderbergh is set to direct a biopic about the gay pianist Liberace for Warner Brothers with a script written by Richard Lagravanese (The Horse Whisperer, Freedom Writers, P.S. I Love You). Actor Michael Douglas has already confirmed his involvement and will play Liberace, while Matt Damon is in discussions to play Scott Thorson, the man who sued Liberace in 1982 for $113 million in palimony, claiming he was the entertainer’s companion for five years. Interestingly, this isn't exactly Soderbergh's next project. Liberace was a famously flamboyant entertainer and pianist that died in 1987 of complications from AIDS at age 67. Although Soderbergh is currently finishing up The Informant, this biopic isn't his next film. He's set to make The Girlfriend Experience, ...
- 9/11/2008
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
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