Latest news with #RobReiner
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Rob Reiner shouted at Doug Emhoff during debate party that Biden would ‘lose our f***ing democracy,' book claims
Tensions were high at a Hollywood debate watch party on June 27, 2024, when director Rob Reiner lashed out at then-second gentleman Doug Emhoff over President Joe Biden 's disastrous debate performance. A report on the confrontation appears in the new book Original Sin: President Biden's Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again by CNN anchor Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson of Axios. Reiner is said to have exclaimed that the U.S. could 'lose our f***ing democracy,' as a result of Biden's performance at the June 27 debate against now-President Donald Trump, according to reporting by The Hill. The incident occurred at the home of James Costos, the former HBO executive and President Barack Obama 's ambassador to Spain. 'The gathering had originally been planned as a fundraiser for the Biden Victory Fund, but then the debate was scheduled for the same night, so the hosts turned it into a fancy and hopefully fun debate watch party, with people sitting in three or four different rooms,' the book states. In addition to Reiner and Emhoff, actor and activist Jane Fonda was also present, in addition to Democratic governors Andy Beshear of Kentucky, JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan. As President Biden spoke in a weak voice, repeatedly stumbled over answers, misspoke, and lost his train of thought, the evening quickly turned into a 'debate watch horror show.' 'A few minutes into it, Reiner, in the main living room, stated plainly: 'We are f***ed!'' Tapper and Thompson wrote, adding that he 'became angry. Soon he was venting, standing, full of fury.' 'He seemed to be looking at Emhoff. Daggers.' 'We're going to lose our f***ing democracy because of you!' the When Harry Met Sally director is said to have shouted at Emhoff. ''Because of me?' Emhoff thought,' the book states. CNN reported on the incident a few days after it occurred, but in less detail, noting: ' Rob Reiner was screaming about losing and Jane Fonda had tears in her eyes, according to people in the room.' The first presidential debate of the 2024 election, in which Biden struggled from the get-go and Trump repeated a barrage of lies and misinformation, was watched by 51.27 million viewers. It sparked 'deep panic' among Democrats, to the delight of supporters of Trump, and ultimately led to Biden stepping aside as the party's nominee in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris. On July 10, George Clooney, who just weeks before headlined a star-studded fundraiser that raked in $28 million for Biden's re-election campaign, penned an emotional op-ed telling his 'friend' in no uncertain terms to take himself out of the 2024 race. After another 11 days of mounting calls for him to step aside, Biden pulled out on July 21, putting Harris, with Emhoff by her side, at the top of the ticket.
Geek Tyrant
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Fascinating Video Essay Explores The Characters of STAND BY ME and The Real Pain Behind The Acting — GeekTyrant
I've got a very interesting video essay here for you to watch which explores director Rob Reiner's 1986 classic film Stand By Me , and how each actor's background, home life, and trauma was similar to the characters they played. The video comes from The Back Focus and it came with the note: The Stand By Me cast gave some of the most emotionally honest performances in film history-but what if it wasn't acting? This video breaks down how Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, River Phoenix, and Jerry O'Connell brought shocking truth to their roles. What makes Stand By Me so powerful, even decades later? In this in-depth video essay, we take a closer look at how each actor's real-life trauma, background, and personality aligned with their character in eerily perfect ways. We explore behind-the-scenes stories, interviews, and the raw emotional weight each child brought to the screen-sometimes unknowingly reliving their own pain. Jerry O'Connell as Vern offers joy and innocence, the comic relief of the film, and the only cast member untouched by personal tragedy at the time. Wil Wheaton as Gordie channels years of emotional neglect and parental disconnection with heartbreaking authenticity. Corey Feldman as Teddy brings real rage, rooted in a traumatic home life, to a role that mirrors his own childhood. River Phoenix as Chris shows wisdom beyond his years-grounded in personal hardship, cult escape, and a deep sensitivity that made him unforgettable. We'll look at how director Rob Reiner intentionally cast real kids who were their characters, how that decision shaped the film, and why these performances still resonate so deeply. If you love Stand By Me, or you've ever wondered why it hits so hard, this is the video for you.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This Is Spinal Tap Trailer Previews 2025 Theatrical Rerelease
In celebration of the iconic film's 41st anniversary, Bleecker Street announced that it would be doing a theatrical rerelease. The rerelease of the 1984 mockumentary is set for July 5-7, 2025. The screenings will be happening in partnership with Fathom Entertainment. Tickets for the film will be available on Fathom's website, with participating theaters joining in on the celebration. Check out a trailer for the rerelease of the film below (watch other trailers): Originally released in 1984, This Is Spinal Tap is directed by Rob Reiner in his directorial debut, and follows the story of a fictional heavy metal band, Spinal Tap. The film follows the group on an American tour and features largely improvised dialogue. This Is Spinal Tap launched to nearly universal acclaim but didn't make too much money at the box office. However, its home video release saw an even larger audience flock to it, and it quickly gained a large cult following, eventually being selected for preservation by the National Film Registry in 2002 after it was deemed 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant' by the Library of Congress. A sequel to This Is Spinal Tap was announced in May 2022 and was initially eying a March 19, 2024, release; however, it was delayed because of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and Writers Guild of America (WGA) strikes. The sequel will instead release on September 12, 2025. According to early reports, the plot of the movie 'sees Spinal Tap, England's loudest and most punctual band, reunite following a 15-year hiatus for one final concert.' Rob & Michele Reiner and Matthew George are producing Spinal Tap 2, while Christopher H. Warner and Derrick Rossi serve as executive producers. The post This Is Spinal Tap Trailer Previews 2025 Theatrical Rerelease appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
The Guardian
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Actually romantic and actually funny': why When Harry Met Sally is my feelgood movie
There's not a dull moment in When Harry Met Sally, Nora Ephron and Rob Reiner's 1989 classic, which has become the apotheosis of the romcom. Every detail in the film is to be savoured: the golden leaves of Central Park. Billy Crystal's apartment. Meg Ryan's glasses. The sweaters! Oh, the sweaters! It's not exactly a groundbreaking choice, so much so that I'm almost embarrassed to call it my 'feelgood movie'. Calling When Harry Met Sally a perfect comfort film is like calling pizza the perfect comfort food. It's hardly discerning or original. But as with all comforts, it's never simply about the thing itself. There's always a story, some personal reason why that particular work of art compels you to return to it time and time again. My relationship to When Harry Met Sally started when I was 11. I dreaded Monday mornings – that stomach-dropping feeling when you realise that it is indeed morning and yes, you do have to go to school. Just the anticipation of that feeling would fill Sunday evenings with dread. In my bedroom, I had an old box TV with an in-built VHS player. By the time I started high school in 2008, VHS tapes were already out of fashion; DVDs and Blu-rays were how most people watched films at home. But our house was full of VHS tapes. (I loved that Sally alphabetised her videotapes on index cards. And yes, reader, I soon started alphabetising our family tapes.) I made my way through the VHS tapes we had in our house, the way more precocious children ransack the local library. One evening, I picked up When Harry Met Sally. I remember the colours on the box were dull and faded. But as soon as the stylish opening credits started, with the jazzy piano rendition of It Had to Be You playing over them, I was hooked. Soon after, I was watching When Harry Met Sally almost every Sunday evening over the course of a year. Sometimes I gave the film my full attention; other times, I had it on in the background as I did other things. It was just a comfort knowing it was there. Rewinding the tape back to the beginning was a cherished part of the weekly ritual. I've since watched the film countless times on a variety of formats, but I always think back to those Sunday evenings, watching the VHS cross-legged on my bedroom floor. At its heart, When Harry Met Sally is a fantasy movie. Not just in its insistence that heterosexual men and women can never be friends without sex rearing its randy head in the way, but in the lifestyle it depicts: healthy, good-looking Manhattanites who live in beautiful apartments, wear gorgeous outfits, and whose major worries (Harry's hypochondria notwithstanding) are matters of the heart and not, say, how the next rent will be paid. To me at 11, When Harry Met Sally represented a life worth fantasising about: I wanted to go on roadtrips; I couldn't drive. (Still can't.) I wanted to live in Manhattan, not Lancashire. (Still don't.) I wanted to fall in love. (Eventually did, though after some years of trial and error.) I knew Harry's cynicism and arrogance weren't to be admired, but otherwise I wanted his life: when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life as a New York-based political consultant who reads Stephen King novels in fancy chairs in even fancier apartments, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. Part of the film's brilliance comes from the supporting cast: Carrie Fisher as Marie and Bruno Kirby as Jess, Harry and Sally's best friends who develop their own romance. Marie and Jess provide the film's best lines (yes, better than 'I'll have what she's having'). Jess, during a frustrating game of Pictionary, pleads with Sally: 'Draw something resembling anything!' And Fisher delivers a line for the ages in New York's Shakespeare & Co bookstore: 'Someone is staring at you in Personal Growth.' I sometimes ask myself whether I should love When Harry Met Sally as much as I do. I mean, isn't the film a bit reductive when it comes to gender? Maybe. Yet at the same time, it's a romantic comedy that's actually romantic and actually funny, something few romcoms can boast today. But the reason it's my feelgood film is because I discovered it at a time when I needed it most. To borrow Sally's words: When Harry Met Sally, you may have provided an unrealistic template for life, but it's impossible for me to hate you. When Harry Met Sally is available to rent digitally in the US and UK
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
This is Spinal Tap gets a sequel after 40 years – and there's already a trailer
This is Spinal Tap – one of the funniest comedy movies of all time – is officially getting a sequel and a teaser trailer has already been released ahead of its September release date. Spinal Tap II – The End Continues is a direct sequel to 1984's This is Spinal Tap, which starred Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest. The mockumentary about a hapless heavy metal band, dubbed 'England's loudest band', was directed by and starred Rob Reiner, who is returning to direct the new film, with McKean, Shearer and Guest all reprising their roles. Bleecker Street has acquired the rights to the sequel and the original movie too, which will be restored and re-released in cinemas over the summer. It will also return to steaming services later this year. The 30-second teaser trailer doesn't reveal much about the fil, but does nod to a joke from the original film where a Marshall guitar speaker 'turns up to 11'. However, one dial now turns up to infinity. The sequel will follow the band as they reunite after a 15-year hiatus for one final concert. Reiner will once again play documentarian Marty DiBergi who follows the group on tour with music icons Elton John, Paul McCartney and Garth Brooks all reportedly making cameos. Also appearing will be Canadian singer Paul Shaffer, The Nanny star Fran Drescher and British comedians Nina Conti, Kerry Godliman and Chris Addison. In a statement, Reiner said: 'So happy to be working with the folks at Bleecker Street who are passionate about keeping Tap's legacy alive and happy to give Marty DiBergi another shot at relevancy.' 'We feel privileged for the opportunity to work with Rob Reiner and the brilliant minds behind the original This Is Spinal Tap, and to be part of a film that has resonated with so many,' added Bleecker Street's CEO Andrew Karpen and president Kent Sanderson. ' This Is Spinal Tap isn't just a movie – it's a cultural touchstone that pioneered the mockumentary genre and left an indelible mark on both film and music. Returning to this world through Spinal Tap II is an extraordinary chance to celebrate its legacy while creating something fresh for both new and devoted audiences.' Nearly a decade ago, Reiner and the actors sued French media group Vivendi and its subsidiary StudioCanal for hundreds of millions of pounds over claims that the studio withheld profits from the film, its music and its merchandise. They reportedly settled the lawsuit in 2020. Spinal Tap have briefly performed as a real band, reuniting for a tribute to Freddie Mercury, Glastonbury and environmental Live Earth concerts. In 2009, the mock group were nominated for Classic Rock magazine's Roll of Honour.
