Latest news with #TheShapeofWater
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Michael Shannon: My career has been all over the shop
Michael Shannon's career has been "all over the shop". The 50-year-old actor has enjoyed huge success in Hollywood, starring in movies such as Groundhog Day, The Shape of Water and Knives Out - but Michael feels his career hasn't followed an obvious pattern. He told The Independent: "There was no catapult, you know, the meteoric rise to whatever." Michael considers acting to be his "job" rather than his hobby, and his attitude towards his work has changed over time. He explained: "I started acting about 35 years ago, so if something hadn't changed in that time, that would be a problem. "Now it's kind of my job. You know, the way that people have jobs; it's what I do. What's become the most important thing is telling the story." Michael initially enjoyed his experience of fame. However, he's become weary of fan attention in recent years. The veteran film star said: "I'm not here to sign a bunch of pictures that they can sell on the internet, so that's a drag." Meanwhile, Michael recently admitted that he doesn't watch television and that he finds most TV shows to be "garbage". The actor confssed that he prefers to make movies, observing that TV is "run by writers and producers and corporate overlords". He told Time Out: "Film is a director's medium and TV is run by writers and producers and corporate overlords. "I mean, I do television, because from time to time there are interesting projects that come across my desk, but by and large, I think television is garbage. I certainly don't watch it. "Films are more interesting, but they're the director's medium, they're not theatre where an actor can really do their thing. I like acting, so that's why I do theatre." Michael loves doing theatre work because he's not being dictated to by "morons". He said: "There's no morons that come in who know nothing about art and have no training in the arts whatsoever manipulating the hard work that you've done as an artist and turning it into crap. In the theatre what the audience sees is what I want them to see."
San Francisco Chronicle
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
George Lucas to make first ever San Diego Comic-Con appearance
George Lucas is traveling to a city far, far away from his Northern California hometown to preview his latest venture. The 'Star Wars' filmmaker is scheduled to make his first-ever appearance at San Diego Comic-Con on July 27 — the final day of the pop culture convention — for a discussion about the power of illustrated story and his new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. Lucas is expected to be joined by Doug Chiang, a production designer for his sci-fi franchise's prequel films, and ' The Shape of Water ' director Guillermo del Toro. Hip-hop powerhouse-turned-actor Queen Latifah will moderate. Co-founded by Lucas and his wife, businesswoman Melody Hobson, the Lucas Museum is expected to house models, props, concept art and costumes from across Lucas' filmmaking career. It will be located in Los Angeles' Exposition Park and is scheduled to open next year. Though ' Star Wars ' has had a presence at Comic-Con for decades, Lucas has never been on the event's popular Hall H stage — until now. His franchise made its Comic-Con debut in 1976, though that panel was focused on the yet-to-be-released 'Star Wars' Marvel comic and took place a year before the original film hit theaters. Since then, 'Star Wars' has become a staple at the annual event, with notable moments like Lucasfilm's 2004 reveal of ' Revenge of the Sith ' as the title of 'Star Wars:Episode III'; and the 2015 reunion of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill for a sneak peek of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' before its release later that year. 'His lifelong dedication to visual storytelling and world-building resonates deeply with us and our community, and the museum's mission to celebrate narrative art in all its forms perfectly reflects what Comic-Con has championed from the very beginning,' David Glanzer, chief communications and strategy officer of Comic-Con, said of Lucas in a statement. San Diego Comic-Con begins July 24, featuring dozens of panels for shows and films such as 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians,' 'Abbott Elementary' and 'Alien: Earth.'
CNET
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
I Wanted to Stream a Horror-Western, and Netflix Has the Best Movie That Does Both
When it comes to movies, my favorite genres are horror and Westerns. Yet, as a busy dad, there's never enough time in the day to sit and enjoy a film I want to watch. If I had it my way, I'd regularly plan double feature nights at home to get my fix of scares and cowboys. However, there's a six-year-old girl who lives under my roof, and my wife's tastes vastly differ from mine, so we keep it family friendly -- most of the time, anyway. Lo and behold, my birthday is approaching, and I am getting the place to myself. Instead of sitting through four hours of cinema, I began wondering if there was a singular movie out there that could blend the best of both genres. There absolutely is, and it's streaming on Netflix right now. Let me introduce you to Bone Tomahawk. Bone Tomahawk follows four men as they venture into the desert to rescue some townspeople who were kidnapped after a surprise attack. This is no ordinary rescue mission, though. It's revealed early on in the film that a group of savage, cave-dwelling (and potentially supernatural) cannibals is the guilty party. Defeating them will be no easy feat. To that point, the eventual confrontation between the men and these attackers is one of the most grizzly, violent displays I've ever seen in a Western. Read more: Netflix Review: Our Top Pick in a Sea of Streaming Choices Kurt Russell plays Sheriff Hunt alongside Richard Jenkins, who plays Deputy Chicory, in the horror-Western movie, Bone Tomahawk. RLJ Entertainment The first and probably biggest draw here is the movie's stellar cast. Kurt Russell leads the charge as Sheriff Franklin Hunt, alongside Patrick Wilson as Arthur O'Dwyer, Richard Jenkins (the Oscar-nominated actor for The Shape of Water) as Deputy Chicory and Lost alum Matthew Fox as John Brooder. Supporting players include Lili Simmons, Zahn McLarnon, David Arquette, horror icon Sid Haig, Fred Malamed, Michael Paré, and Sean Young. Tombstone is hands down one of my favorite westerns, and seeing Russell get back on the horse, so to speak, to lead another western (The Hateful Eight, which he also stars in, hit theaters the same year) is reason in and of itself to watch this movie. As wonderful as he is in the role of Sheriff Hunt, the movie gives enough scenery to chew for Wilson, Jenkins, and Fox -- each actor delivers nuanced performances that keep things grounded, even as the stakes are steadily raised. An extra tip of the hat should be given to Fox, the enigmatic standout. Brooder is not a likable character, yet his ego doesn't define who this man is either. His drive to hunt down these attackers stems from a deeply personal trauma that earns him equal parts disdain from the audience and empathy. Without him, the crew probably wouldn't make it as far as they do. Matthew Fox plays the armed gentleman John Brooder in the horror-Western Bone Tomahawk. Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET This is S. Craig Zahler's directorial debut. He is the filmmaker behind the brutal festival darlings Dragged Across Concrete and Brawl in Cell Block 99 so if you're at all familiar with those movies , you'd be unsurprised by the final act's blood-spilling. Zahler also wrote the movie, which is important to note, considering how sharp the dialogue is. This is probably the key detail that brought this epic cast to the project. Hunt and his men spend most of the movie searching, which is not dissimilar to how John Wayne and his Texas Rangers were in John Ford 's cinematic classic, The Searchers. That iconic Western is most assuredly beloved by dads nationwide; Ford's work has inspired filmmakers from Spielberg to Scorsese and Kurosawa. David Arquette and Sid Haig co-star in the horror-western Bone Tomahawk. RLJ Entertainment Ford's movies had a specific pacing that has all but disappeared from modern entertainment . His movies took their time, following characters through a slow-burn hero's journey. This allowed the story world to sit in silence, allowing the viewer to take in the dusty horizon as if it were a photograph or painting come to life. Like Jim Jarmusch's Dead Man, which tapped into a similar narrative sensibility, Zahler gives ample room for the story, characters and surrounding world to breathe, which draws the viewer in further. There's no musical score here, and the cinematography is seamless and straightforward. Instead of populating the movie with distracting camera maneuvers, Zahler's debut acts almost as a stage play, which gives a matter-of-fact, rudimentary vibe to the whole thing. On the surface, Bone Tomahawk is a revenge story. Yet, underneath, it explores humanity at a crossroads, following civilized men as they grapple with the untamed, feral elements on the other side of the desert. Once the men meet the villains, referred to earlier in the movie as Troglodytes, the movie crosses over from Old West homage to horror territory. The practical effects in the movie's third act bring about a series of hard-to-watch acts of violence on the level of Eli Roth's cannibal opus, Green Inferno. I wouldn't call this torture porn. As visceral, gory and in-your-face things get, it's all still justified to the story being told. I've read the criticism online about Bone Tomahawk's depiction of Native Americans, specifically in reference to the Troglodytes. I'm not here to contest that notion. However, it's worth noting that the movie takes place during an era where prejudice toward anyone who wasn't white or male was indeed the norm. It could also be argued that this tribe of powerful cannibals isn't really Native American at all. That's the sentiment spoken as a warning by Zahn McClarnon's professor to Hunt and crew. Patrick Wilson, Richard Jenkins and Kurt Russell as Arthur O'Dwyer, Deputy Chicory and Sheriff Hunt in the horror-Western Bone Tomahawk. Screenshot by Aaron Pruner/CNET If I had a gripe with the movie, it would be the abruptness of its ending. The emotional stakes do pay off, and much blood is spilled. But I have to wonder if there was ever a plan to make a sequel, as things close in an open-ended way. A number of characters' storylines ended as they walked off into the sunset, and I, for one, would love to see this story continue in some fashion. Bone Tomahawk is not for everyone. That said, if you're a dad like me who yearns for some quiet time away from the family to relish in some gruesome goodies, may I suggest delving into this ultraviolet Western-horror opus? Movies like these don't come around very often. You won't be disappointed.
Scotsman
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Every Guillermo del Toro film: All of the Frankenstein director's films ranked, from best to worst
With his love of monsters, it is no surprise that Guillermo del Toro has directed more than his fair share of creature features. From his debut film Cronos, a horror film about an otherworldly Scarab to his Oscar-winning Gothic romance The Shape of Water, the Mexican director is no stranger to the unusual. And regardless of genre, all of del Toro's filmmaking is imbued with a distinct visual flair, making his upcoming adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein feel all the more appealing - especially since we know that many scenes for the film were shot around Scotland. So if you witnessed the crew of del Toro's 'Prodigal Father' filming in Edinburgh last year and are wondering what else he has to offer, we've taken a look back at his previous work. Based on Rotten Tomatoes reviews, here are all of Guillermo del Toro's films ranked from best to worst. 1 . Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) With 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio is a 2022 stop-motion film which is based loosely on the 1883 Italian novel. Released on Netflix, critics praised the film – which stars Scottish actor Ewan McGregor – for its dark take on the tale of Pinocchio. | Netflix Photo Sales 2 . Pan's Labyrinth (2006) Falling slightly behind his most recent film is Pan's Labyrinth. Released in 2006, the dark fantasy received a 22 minute-long standing ovation during its Cannes premiere. It is widely considered one of the best fantasy films ever made and won a number of awards – including three Oscars. | Getty Images Photo Sales 3 . The Devil's Backbone (2001) Released in 2001, The Devil's Backbone is a Gothic horror film about a 10-year-old orphan who is sent to Santa Lucia School, where he uncovers its secrets including the ghost which wanders the grounds. Set during the Spanish Civil War, the film has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 93%. | Getty Images Photo Sales 4 . The Shape of Water (2017) Widely praised by critics upon its release, The Shape of Water saw del Toro win Best Picture and Best Director, as well as two others, during the 90th Academy Awards. The fantasy-romance film stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer. | AFP via Getty Images Photo Sales Related topics: FilmEdinburghScotland
The Hindu
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Frankenstein' teaser: Oscar Isaac stars in Guillermo del Toro's Mary Shelley adaptation
Netflix has released the first teaser for Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro's long-awaited adaptation of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel. The teaser debuted during Netflix TUDUM 2025 event and confirmed a November release for the film. Oscar Isaac stars as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a gifted but arrogant scientist whose attempt to conquer death by creating life sets off a tragic chain of events. Jacob Elordi plays the creature, whose existence challenges the limits of morality, science, and humanity. Del Toro, known for The Shape of Water and Pan's Labyrinth, called Frankenstein 'the culmination of a journey that has occupied most of my life.' Speaking at the event, he said, 'Monsters have become my personal belief system,' and acknowledged that themes from Frankenstein have appeared throughout his career. The project has been in development for over a decade and is the director's latest literary adaptation for Netflix, following his Oscar-winning Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. He wrote the screenplay and produced the film alongside longtime collaborator J. Miles Dale and Netflix's Scott Stuber. The cast includes Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Christian Convery, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz. Del Toro has spoken often about the influence of Shelley's novel. During his 2018 BAFTA acceptance speech, he called the author 'as important in my life as if she were family,' crediting her work with inspiring him to persist through challenges in his career.
