Saturday 31 May 2014

Happy Birthday Big Guy!

Amazingly, another year gone? I can't believe how quick these years are shooting by. Thankfully, Clint doesn't show any signs of slowing down - what was it he said a couple of years ago? 'I want to make films when I'm 105' - Well you wont hear any complaints from us Clint. 

A Big Happy 84th Birthday on behalf of all your fans. 

Have a Great Day!

       

Thursday 15 May 2014

Cannes: Quentin Tarantino to Host Screening of 'A Fistful of Dollars'

It's all about the Man with No Name at the moment!

The self-professed Spaghetti Western super fan will introduce a showing of the Sergio Leone classic, starring Clint Eastwood, at a special event after the Palme d’Or award ceremony. Quentin Tarantino will host a special screening of Sergio Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars, starring Clint Eastwood and Gian Maria Volonte, at the close of the Cannes Film Festival.
Festival organizers said the special screening and Tarantino’s presence would be included to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Spaghetti Western in 1964, the year Leone directed his classic film.
The film will be screened on Saturday, May 24, after the festival awards ceremony. Tarantino hosts as a “great admirer” of Leone, having always been open about how much his own filmmaking owes to the influence of the Western’s great Italian masters.
The restoration of A Fistful of Dollars was undertaken by the Cineteca di Bologna and Unidis Jolly Film (the film’s original producer and distributor) with the involvement of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Martin Scorsese’s Film Foundation.
The work was carried out by the Immagine Ritrovata film restoration laboratory.


The original Techniscope camera negative was digitized by immersion and restored to 4K resolution with cinematographer Ennio Guarneri overseeing the digital calibration, while a period copy printed in Technicolor was used as a visual reference. 
The Hollywood Reporter

Incredible Fistful of Dollars out takes surface!


Thanks to my friend Davy Triumph for bringing this to my attention. Davy asked me – why wasn’t this on the DVD! – Well, it’s a valid question…. And he is right.
I tell you Davy, all this great material is out there somewhere mate. Ultimately, I blame people like MGM/UA.  All they have to do is approach the fan base; put out an open call... it’s so bloody simple, it's not rocket science. It is easy enough for them to locate the relevant sites (you know what I mean by that) actually, I think I have mentioned it before in the past elsewhere on the web, and you probably know where I am referring to. I think the problem is twofold.
Firstly, when preparing such releases on BluRay and DVD, these studios have their arses so puckered up and slammed shut (in fear of what I don't know) that they ultimately miss out on the genuine treasure - the chance to have something truly magnificent - and creating a disc that really defines the word 'definitive'... it really gets my back up.
Secondly, so, why don't they ask? I can’t help thinking a lot of it is down to pure ignorance. I honestly believe that the studios think they have it all, and that what they hold in their archives is the pinnacle – the ultimate collective… That kind of ignorance is incredible. I consider people like you, myself and a few other people we both know as serious collectors, and it is collectors such as us that can make a difference – if only they approached us!! As you know Davy - I, ‘Philo’ and others have contributed many parts of our collection to TV docs, books and magazines. We have never asked for money, we offer our material simply because we want to make the project as good as it possibly can be. All I have ever asked for in return is credit – credit where credit is due right? I have always had immense pride in simply being associated with the product in question. This also extends to soundtracks, and I have had the great pleasure of working with the likes of the talented Joe Sikoryak, for Eastwood related releases from both FSM (Film Score Monthly) and Intrada labels. I also worked with Aleph (Lalo Schifrin’s label) on their Dirty Harry soundtracks. But it was a long process and one that I had to instigate.
So again, why don’t they ask???  Sometimes I simply think they can’t be bothered… I know that sounds overwhelmingly shallow? But I honestly think – that they believe - that the average ’Joe Public’, who buys these releases, doesn’t really give a damn what is included as extras… Again, I think this is an awful attitude, but believe it to be true nonetheless. I don’t think they (the studios) understand that there are an awful lot of people that do take this stuff seriously, that are interested in the film’s history, the important footage, the photo documentation and I’ve always been an advocate for a fan’s commentary track – god – how insightful would that be!
‘Connoisseurs’ is an old fashioned word and one I don’t tend to use, but there are an awful lot of people who would like to be considered and respected as ‘serious about film’ - unfortunately, I think a lot of studios consider us, as a minority…  
I don’t know if you ever read it Davy, but I touched on the subject when I announced the High Plains Drifter soundtrack on my site (Under October 2012 in the drop down menu). I raised several of these key questions again, check it out…
Thankfully, some companies seem to be producing projects in a far different manner. For instance, my friend Nick Redman of Twilight Time seems to have a very refreshing approach. Taking the opportunity to announce their projects far in advance, Nick also makes himself incredibly accessible and approachable. As a result, it provides a good deal of time - a ‘window’ in which collectors and fans can step forward and perhaps offer that one little piece of material that could further ‘enhance’  or benefit that particular Blu Ray title. I like the idea of that and applaud it. Ok, our timing was a little bit off when it came to the Radio Spots for Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, but that was just unfortunate. It would be good to hear your thoughts Nick on the producing of Blu Rays and specifically the input and access of source material, I’m sure people would respect and appreciate a producer’s perspective.

It is really frustrating at the end of the day. As you correctly said Davy, where was this material on the DVD or Blu Ray. Incredibly important footage – check out the clapperboard ‘The Magnificent Stranger’ – Fistful’s original working title – just glorious and dripping with the ‘Wow’ factor… Personally, I could have offered some great colour transparencies of Clint promoting the ‘Dollars’ in Europe, as I’m sure many other people could had offered other unseen or unappreciated material, it would of made for a spectacular gallery… and that is from a fan’s perspective.  But sadly, a lot of it remains unseen, and that does trouble me. Thanks for bringing this to my attention Davy, I’m going to get this up on the Archive, if anything, it makes for a fascinating area of debate.  From a personal perspective, I still can’t believe what I'm seeing!   

Sunday 11 May 2014

American Sniper – Filming begins on Clint’s long awaited movie

It's amazing, the man's work rate just doesn't slow down. With Jersey Boys already in the can, Clint has already began on his next project, American Sniper. We first brought you news that Clint was lining this up back in August 2014. 
Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper have been seen around the Valley this week, as they are filming the true story and anticipated Hollywood blockbuster “American Sniper” on location in El Centro.
Eastwood is directing and Cooper stars as Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, who was killed by a fellow veteran last year. The movie is being filmed near Commercial Avenue and Fourth Street just east of the railroad tracks on a closed set.
“American Sniper” follows Kyle’s career, who (as a SEAL) had 150 confirmed kills. The film is slated for a 2015 release.  Here are 10 photos taken last Wednesday during filming.  




   

Jersey Boys will close out the 20th annual Los Angeles Film Festival

From The Hollywood Reporter:
Director Clint Eastwood's adaptation of the hit Broadway musical about mid-'60s boy band Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will screen on Thursday, June 19, at downtown's L.A. Live -- home to the festival for the past five years. The Warner Bros. musical hits theatres the following day.

Tuesday 6 May 2014

Jersey Boys Official Trailer # 1 and the Teaser One Sheet Poster

Here it is...
Here is the first U.S. Teaser One Sheet poster for Clint's new movie Jersey Boys. Jersey Boys is a musical biography of the Four Seasons-the rise, the tough times and personal clashes, and the ultimate triumph of a group of friends whose music became symbolic of a generation. Far from a mere tribute concert (though it does include numbers from the popular Four Seasons songbook), Jersey Boys gets to the heart of the relationships at the center of the group-with a special focus on frontman Frankie Valli, the small kid with the big falsetto. In addition to following the quartet's coming of age as performers, the core of the show is how an allegiance to a code of honor learned in the streets of their native New Jersey got them through a multitude of challenges: gambling debts, Mafia threats and family disasters. Jersey Boys is a glimpse at the people behind a sound that has managed to endure for over four decades in the hearts of the public. It is due to open June 14th in the U.S. and June 20th in the U.K.
Below: Jersey Boys Official Trailer # 1


Click here for the official site

Below: Jersey Boys French Blu-ray/DVD/Digital combo release