Director William Friedkin (who passed away earlier this year) made a lot of great films, including Best Picture winner The French Connection and one of the best horror movies ever made, The Exorcist. One you don’t hear referenced very often is the serial killer thriller Rampage, which had trouble making its way out into the world and was a project where Friedkin felt he had missed the mark, as the finished film wasn’t close enough to his original vision for it. But now Kino Lorber is showing Rampage some of the respect it’s been lacking over the decades, as Blu-ray.com reports they’ll be giving the film a 4K Uhd release sometime in early 2024.
Scripted by Friedkin and based on a novel of the same name by William P. Wood, Rampage delves into the subject of legal insanity, so often the default defense in modern-time gruesome crime trials.
Scripted by Friedkin and based on a novel of the same name by William P. Wood, Rampage delves into the subject of legal insanity, so often the default defense in modern-time gruesome crime trials.
- 12/28/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Movies That Made Me veteran guest and screenwriter Dan Waters discusses his favorite year of cinema (1989) with Josh Olson and Joe Dante.
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Phantom Carriage (1921)
Love At First Bite (1979)
Hudson Hawk (1991)
Demolition Man (1993)
Heathers (1989)
Warlock (1989)
The Matrix (1999)
Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Jaws (1975)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Nashville (1975)
Born On The Fourth Of July (1989)
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Field Of Dreams (1989)
My Left Foot (1989)
Crimes And Misdemeanors (1989)
Do The Right Thing (1989)
Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
Sex Lies And Videotape (1989)
Easy Rider (1969)
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
The Wild Bunch (1969)
Apocalypse Now (1979)
All That Jazz (1979)
Hair (1979)
Alien (1979)
Fight Club (1999)
Office Space (1999)
Magnolia (1999)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
American Pie (1999)
The Iron Giant (1999)
All About My Mother (1999)
Being John Malkovich (1999)
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Pretty In Pink (1986)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Say Anything… (1989)
Miracle Mile (1989)
True Love (1989)
Powwow Highway (1989)
Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)
Southside With You...
Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode
The Phantom Carriage (1921)
Love At First Bite (1979)
Hudson Hawk (1991)
Demolition Man (1993)
Heathers (1989)
Warlock (1989)
The Matrix (1999)
Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
Barry Lyndon (1975)
Jaws (1975)
Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Nashville (1975)
Born On The Fourth Of July (1989)
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Field Of Dreams (1989)
My Left Foot (1989)
Crimes And Misdemeanors (1989)
Do The Right Thing (1989)
Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
Sex Lies And Videotape (1989)
Easy Rider (1969)
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
The Wild Bunch (1969)
Apocalypse Now (1979)
All That Jazz (1979)
Hair (1979)
Alien (1979)
Fight Club (1999)
Office Space (1999)
Magnolia (1999)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
American Pie (1999)
The Iron Giant (1999)
All About My Mother (1999)
Being John Malkovich (1999)
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Pretty In Pink (1986)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Say Anything… (1989)
Miracle Mile (1989)
True Love (1989)
Powwow Highway (1989)
Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)
Southside With You...
- 2/21/2023
- by Kris Millsap
- Trailers from Hell
By 1985 Hollywood had still only dabbled in movies about the ‘shame that cannot speak its name,’ and in every case the verdict for the transgressors was regret and misery, if not death. Donna Deitch’s brilliant drama achieves exactly what she wanted, to do make a movie about a lesbian relationship that doesn’t end in a tragedy.
Desert Hearts
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 902
1985 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 96 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date November 14, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau, Audra Lindley, Andra Akers, Gwen Welles, Dean Butler, James Staley, Katie La Bourdette, Alex McArthur, Tyler Tyhurst, Denise Crosby, Antony Ponzini, Brenda Beck, Jeffrey Tambor.
Cinematography: Robert Elswit
Film Editor: Robert Estrin
Production Design: Jeannine Oppewall
Written by Natalie Cooper from the novel by Jane Rule
Produced and Directed by Donna Deitch
Desert Hearts is a fine movie that’s also one of the first features ever about a lesbian romance,...
Desert Hearts
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 902
1985 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 96 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date November 14, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Helen Shaver, Patricia Charbonneau, Audra Lindley, Andra Akers, Gwen Welles, Dean Butler, James Staley, Katie La Bourdette, Alex McArthur, Tyler Tyhurst, Denise Crosby, Antony Ponzini, Brenda Beck, Jeffrey Tambor.
Cinematography: Robert Elswit
Film Editor: Robert Estrin
Production Design: Jeannine Oppewall
Written by Natalie Cooper from the novel by Jane Rule
Produced and Directed by Donna Deitch
Desert Hearts is a fine movie that’s also one of the first features ever about a lesbian romance,...
- 11/7/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Ryan Lambie Dec 13, 2019
More than two decades on, Heat is still an important film. We look at how Michael Mann's research made for a powerful crime drama.
Cool, measured, melancholy and stylish, Michael Mann's Heat was a box office hit in 1995, and 18 years on, its impact can still be felt. A story about two weary men on either side of the law - one a cop married to his profession, the other a career criminal with no intention of going straight - Heat is also a movie about Los Angeles, in all its sparkly opulence and grimy malaise. Other directors have attempted to bottle some of Heat's atmosphere and move it to another city, whether it be London (see The Sweeney or the visually striking Welcome To The Punch) or Gotham, as seen in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight: look at the way Nolan and cinematographer...
More than two decades on, Heat is still an important film. We look at how Michael Mann's research made for a powerful crime drama.
Cool, measured, melancholy and stylish, Michael Mann's Heat was a box office hit in 1995, and 18 years on, its impact can still be felt. A story about two weary men on either side of the law - one a cop married to his profession, the other a career criminal with no intention of going straight - Heat is also a movie about Los Angeles, in all its sparkly opulence and grimy malaise. Other directors have attempted to bottle some of Heat's atmosphere and move it to another city, whether it be London (see The Sweeney or the visually striking Welcome To The Punch) or Gotham, as seen in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight: look at the way Nolan and cinematographer...
- 8/21/2017
- Den of Geek
Ryan Lambie Aug 21, 2017
21 years on, Heat is still an important, influential film. We look at how Michael Mann's research made for a powerful crime drama...
"This is based on observations. This is based on people I have met, people I've known, people I've sat with and talked to. Thieves, cops, killers. It's not derived from other cinema, it's based on research." Michael Mann
Cool, measured, melancholy and stylish, Michael Mann's Heat was a box office hit in 1995, and 18 years on, its impact can still be felt. A story about two weary men on either side of the law - one a cop married to his profession, the other a career criminal with no intention of going straight - Heat is also a movie about Los Angeles, in all its sparkly opulence and grimy malaise. Other directors have attempted to bottle some of Heat's atmosphere and move it to another city,...
21 years on, Heat is still an important, influential film. We look at how Michael Mann's research made for a powerful crime drama...
"This is based on observations. This is based on people I have met, people I've known, people I've sat with and talked to. Thieves, cops, killers. It's not derived from other cinema, it's based on research." Michael Mann
Cool, measured, melancholy and stylish, Michael Mann's Heat was a box office hit in 1995, and 18 years on, its impact can still be felt. A story about two weary men on either side of the law - one a cop married to his profession, the other a career criminal with no intention of going straight - Heat is also a movie about Los Angeles, in all its sparkly opulence and grimy malaise. Other directors have attempted to bottle some of Heat's atmosphere and move it to another city,...
- 5/7/2013
- Den of Geek
Feature Ryan Lambie 8 May 2013 - 06:50
Eighteen years on, Heat is still an important, influential film. We look at how Michael Mann's research made for a powerful crime drama...
"This is based on observations. This is based on people I have met, people I've known, people I've sat with and talked to. Thieves, cops, killers. It's not derived from other cinema, it's based on research." Michael Mann
Cool, measured, melancholy and stylish, Michael Mann's Heat was a box office hit in 1995, and 18 years on, its impact can still be felt. A story about two weary men on either side of the law - one a cop married to his profession, the other a career criminal with no intention of going straight - Heat is also a movie about Los Angeles, in all its sparkly opulence and grimy malaise. Other directors have attempted to bottle some of Heat's...
Eighteen years on, Heat is still an important, influential film. We look at how Michael Mann's research made for a powerful crime drama...
"This is based on observations. This is based on people I have met, people I've known, people I've sat with and talked to. Thieves, cops, killers. It's not derived from other cinema, it's based on research." Michael Mann
Cool, measured, melancholy and stylish, Michael Mann's Heat was a box office hit in 1995, and 18 years on, its impact can still be felt. A story about two weary men on either side of the law - one a cop married to his profession, the other a career criminal with no intention of going straight - Heat is also a movie about Los Angeles, in all its sparkly opulence and grimy malaise. Other directors have attempted to bottle some of Heat's...
- 5/7/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Cool thing about today's "What I Watched" column is you can watch the film I watched right now for free... Rampage (1987) In preparation for my William Friedkin interview I watched his 1987 legal thriller Rampage centered on a man (Alex McArthur) who goes on a brief killing spree and the district attorney (Michael Biehn) seeking the death penalty for his crimes. If I was to try to say anything to convince you to watch this film I would say do so not only because it is damn good, but because McArthur's portrayal of the killer reminded me so much of Kevin Spacey in David Fincher's Seven and Biehn's closing argument is quite bold and risky in an attempt to ratchet up the tension. I don't want to say much else because it could spoil it, but the overall theme of the picture and the ultimate takeaway is quite fascinating. The...
- 6/17/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Based on the nail-biter best seller of the same name by James Patterson, "Kiss the Girls" is a perfectly workable psychological thriller, elevated above its standard-issue trappings by slick production values and strong performances from leads Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd.
Centering on a police detective's efforts to track down a serial kidnapper-killer, the picture keeps graphic sensationalism to an admirable minimum but ultimately lacks the compelling lure of a "Seven" (not to mention a Brad Pitt on the marquee) and, as a result, will likely translate into moderate rather than killer business.
The always-effective Freeman once again applies his inimitable brand of quiet compassion to the role of Dr. Alex Cross, a Washington forensic psychologist who ventures out of his jurisdiction when his niece turns up missing during what appears to be a series of related kidnappings.
While his presence in Durham, N.C., draws begrudging cooperation from the locals (Cary Elwes, Alex McArthur) working the investigation, Cross gets some valuable assistance from Kate McTiernan (Judd), a strong-willed doctor, who, for reasons left respectfully unexplained here, is able to provide insights into the case.
Together, they chase down the clues that will hopefully lead them to their psycho Casanova before he strikes again, but not before the film's obligatory twists and turns render further plot description impractical.
Suffice it to say that the big surprise ending, as adapted by screenwriter David Klass, isn't really all that much of a surprise, nor is the picture as a whole quite the involving shocker it aspires to be.
The cast is certainly up to the challenge. Freeman's committed honesty makes his character's motivations crystal clear; while Judd, as the kickboxing physician, combines determination and vulnerability to convincing effect. The role is one of her strongest.
Director Gary Fleder ("Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead") puts a strong stylistic imprint on the production. Occasionally, however, the artistic flourishes create more distraction than enhancement.
Elsewhere, Aaron Schneider's cinematography is solid, William Anderson's editing is taut and composer Mark Isham's densely atmospheric score is perfectly suited to the on-screen mood.
Production designer Nelson Coates and costume designer Abigail Murray collaborate on a gothic kind of Marquis de Sade-meets-Victoria's Secret look for the kidnapper's lair that borders on the unintentionally ridiculous.
KISS THE GIRLS
Paramount Pictures
in association with Rysher Entertainment
Director Gary Fleder
Producers David Brown and Joe Wizan
Screenwriter David Klass
Based on the novel by James B. Patterson
Executive producer C.O. Erickson
Director of photography Aaron Schneider
Production designer Nelson Coates
Editor William Anderson
Costume designer Abigail Murray
Music Mark Isham
Color/stereo
Cast:
Alex Cross Morgan Freeman
Kate McTiernan Ashley Judd
Chief Hatfield Brian Cox
Wick Sachs William Converse-Roberts
Nick Ruskin Cary Elwes
Dr. Will Rudolph Tony Goldwyn
Seth Samuel Richard T. Jones
Davey Sikes Alex McArthur
Running time -- 117 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
Centering on a police detective's efforts to track down a serial kidnapper-killer, the picture keeps graphic sensationalism to an admirable minimum but ultimately lacks the compelling lure of a "Seven" (not to mention a Brad Pitt on the marquee) and, as a result, will likely translate into moderate rather than killer business.
The always-effective Freeman once again applies his inimitable brand of quiet compassion to the role of Dr. Alex Cross, a Washington forensic psychologist who ventures out of his jurisdiction when his niece turns up missing during what appears to be a series of related kidnappings.
While his presence in Durham, N.C., draws begrudging cooperation from the locals (Cary Elwes, Alex McArthur) working the investigation, Cross gets some valuable assistance from Kate McTiernan (Judd), a strong-willed doctor, who, for reasons left respectfully unexplained here, is able to provide insights into the case.
Together, they chase down the clues that will hopefully lead them to their psycho Casanova before he strikes again, but not before the film's obligatory twists and turns render further plot description impractical.
Suffice it to say that the big surprise ending, as adapted by screenwriter David Klass, isn't really all that much of a surprise, nor is the picture as a whole quite the involving shocker it aspires to be.
The cast is certainly up to the challenge. Freeman's committed honesty makes his character's motivations crystal clear; while Judd, as the kickboxing physician, combines determination and vulnerability to convincing effect. The role is one of her strongest.
Director Gary Fleder ("Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead") puts a strong stylistic imprint on the production. Occasionally, however, the artistic flourishes create more distraction than enhancement.
Elsewhere, Aaron Schneider's cinematography is solid, William Anderson's editing is taut and composer Mark Isham's densely atmospheric score is perfectly suited to the on-screen mood.
Production designer Nelson Coates and costume designer Abigail Murray collaborate on a gothic kind of Marquis de Sade-meets-Victoria's Secret look for the kidnapper's lair that borders on the unintentionally ridiculous.
KISS THE GIRLS
Paramount Pictures
in association with Rysher Entertainment
Director Gary Fleder
Producers David Brown and Joe Wizan
Screenwriter David Klass
Based on the novel by James B. Patterson
Executive producer C.O. Erickson
Director of photography Aaron Schneider
Production designer Nelson Coates
Editor William Anderson
Costume designer Abigail Murray
Music Mark Isham
Color/stereo
Cast:
Alex Cross Morgan Freeman
Kate McTiernan Ashley Judd
Chief Hatfield Brian Cox
Wick Sachs William Converse-Roberts
Nick Ruskin Cary Elwes
Dr. Will Rudolph Tony Goldwyn
Seth Samuel Richard T. Jones
Davey Sikes Alex McArthur
Running time -- 117 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 9/12/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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