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Paramount Pictures’ “September 5,” the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Courtesy of Paramount

The tragic events at the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, when Palestinian terrorists attacked Israeli athletes and took some hostage, has been to subject of other movies, including Stephen Spielberg’s Munich, but September 5 tells that story from a unique viewpoint, that of the new media on site to cover that sporting event, and now thrust into a very different role. September 5 is a taut historic drama specifically takes the perspective of the ABC Sports TV crew that was on-site when the attacks took place. As well as a shocking event that shattered the since of...

September 5 star John Magaro knows he’s had a charmed run the last five years, but his Cleveland-area upbringing won’t let him get too comfortable.

Ever since his Carol director, Todd Haynes, endorsed his casting to First Cow filmmaker Kelly Reichardt in 2018, Magaro has been working like there’s no tomorrow. You can currently find him on the big screen in Tim Fehlbaum’s September 5, as well as on the small screen in the George Clooney-produced series, The Agency. He also has two films on the festival circuit this year before he’s set to appear in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! this fall. If that wasn’t enough, he just wrapped The Mastermind, his third movie with Reichardt in the last handful of years.

Magaro’s work ethic is a byproduct of growing up in Northeast Ohio, a region that’s “used to disappointment,” as he once put it.

It’s been a month of Ted Bundy on Murder Made Fiction, but we’re not quite done with the notorious serial killer of women just yet. After kicking things off with a primer (listen), Jenn and I tackled Matthew Bright’s sleazy 2002 entry (listen), as well as former Disney star Zac Efron’s turn in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile (listen).

Now we’re comparing and contrasting as another teen heartthrob takes a walk on the dark side. In director Daniel Farrands‘ film Ted Bundy: American Boogeyman (2021), former One Tree Hill star Chad Michael Murray tries his hand at playing the notorious killer…to mixed results.

In the film, Bundy is in the midst of his 70s killing spree, which ranges from Utah to Florida over the course of several years. Hot on his heels are Detective Kathleen McChesney (Teen Wolf‘s Holland Roden) and FBI profiler Robert Ressler...

When people remember the "Harry Potter" movies, they're usually at least partially thinking about the score from the legendary John Williams. In terms of how memorable and evocative it is, "Hedwig's Theme" is up there with "The Imperial March" from "Star Wars" or "He's a Pirate" from the "Pirates of the Caribbean Movies," in that everyone can remember and accurately hum it at a moment's notice. Regularly producing bangers like this, it should be no surprise that John Williams has earned over 50 Oscar nominations over his career.

That's why it's a little surprising that Williams wasn't actually there for most of the "Harry Potter" films. The soundtrack for "Goblet of Fire" was composed by Patrick Doyle, "Order of the Phoenix" and "Half-Blood Prince" were composed by Nicholas Hooper, and both "Deathly Hallows" films were composed by Alexandre Desplat. An attentive ear will notice these changes throughout the series, but considering...

A 2005 Steven Spielberg movie receives a fair accuracy score from a counterterrorism expert. Steven Spielberg's best movies cover a wide range of genres, from the Holocaust drama Schindler's List to the science-fiction adventures in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Spielberg gained widespread recognition for his direction of Jaws, which was the first of many box office successes Spielberg would direct in the ensuing years, with the Indiana Jones trilogy and Jurassic Park among his many movies that became immensely popular.

1998's Saving Private Ryan proved to be another Steven Spielberg World War II movie that became a critical and commercial hit. In the 2000s, Spielberg continued to direct a rich variety of movies, with the historical drama Lincoln and his remake of the musical West Side Story being among the most critically acclaimed. In 2022, Spielberg's The Fabelmans was released, which is inspired by the filmmaker's youth, where his passion for making movies began.

The following contains spoilers for "Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" season 1, episode 4, "Can't Say I Remember No At Attlin."

"Star Wars: Skeleton Crew" episode 4 once again brings Jod Na Nawood (Jude Law) and his adolescent castaway crew to a new planet, where we meet just enough new faces that they get a chance to make an impact. One key figure on the episode's planet, At Achrann, is Troik clan member Hayna (Hala Finley), who soon gains respect for Neel (voiced by Robert Timothy Smith) and his anti-violence streak. While Finley has a good few projects on her acting CV, film fans might perk up their ears even more when they see her father, Troik leader General Strix. 

If Strix looks familiar, you've probably paid attention to international cinema in the 1990s and 2000s. The general with a penchant for training child soldiers is played by none other than actor and filmmaker Mathieu Kassovitz,...

The career of director Steven Spielberg has practically defined modern blockbusters, but he’s also been able to craft more personal films as well. Let’s rank Spielberg’s entire filmography from worst to best in a new photo gallery of his 33 theatrical features.

Spielberg’s reputation as a master entertainer came with the release of “Jaws,” his 1975 shark attack thriller. Made when he was just 29 years old, the film set box office records and made the summer safe for blockbusters again. Such following films as “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977), “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981) and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982) cemented Spielberg’s ability to create spectacular amusements that brought audiences to their feet.

He later moved into serious filmmaking with “The Color Purple” (1985), which paved the way for his 1993 Holocaust drama “Schindler’s List” (1993). That film swept the Academy Awards, bringing Spielberg Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture.

Pierce Brosnan exited the role of James Bond after Die Another Day to pave the way for Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. The British actor had been trying out a variety of roles in his career up until that point and revealed that he almost turned down the offer. Craig feared that he would be stuck playing Bond forever. His initial decision almost seems insane, now that he earned $82.4 million for the role.

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Spectre | Credits: Eon Productions

However, playing the role got to him as he revealed that he was so exhausted after filming each Bond film. He shared that when he prioritized his work life, it took a hit on his personal life. Craig is married to actress Rachel Weisz and they share a daughter, Grace, who is six years old.

Daniel Craig Almost Turned Down His Lucrative James Bond Role Daniel Craig...

While Hollywood has played a prominent role in giving a voice to the martyrs through war drama and historical documentaries, more often than not, these stories get swept up in overly patriotic sentiments rather than giving precedence to factual accuracy. But Steven Spielberg has singlehandedly managed to harness both expansive cinematography as well as emotional storytelling through his research into world war stories.

Band of Brothers [Credit: HBO]

Through an obsessive retelling of World War II stories, Spielberg has never grown bored or tired of the era that has caused so much grief, strife, and pain among the people. With films like Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, Schindler’s List, Munich, and Bridge of Spies, the Oscar-winning director has shed more light on the war than any other director.

However, not all of them have been received well by the audience.

Steven Spielberg’s obsession with World War II Band of Brothers...

John Magaro and Leonie Benesch are at the heart of one of the world's most harrowing events in September 5. While he's been acting for the better part of 20 years, Magaro has found more mainstream success over the past decade with everything from Netflix's The Umbrella Academy and Orange is the New Black to the Sopranos prequel movie, The Many Saints of Newark, and Oscar-nominated drama Past Lives. After primarily working in her home country of Germany, Benesch has found international success with the Oscar-nominated Teacher's Lounge and PBS/BBC One's Around the World in 80 Days series.

September 5 takes viewers into the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today in which an American sports broadcasting team quickly adapted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken hostage during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Magaro, who previously appeared in Steven Spielberg's similar-subject thriller Munich,...

The upcoming historic drama September 5, which chronicles the 1972 Munich Massacre at the Summer Olympics, will be released on December 13. The Tim Fehlbaum directorial has been nominated for the Golden Globe Awards in the Best Picture—Drama category and has received rave reviews during its festival run.

The film has been in the news due to its subject matter i.e. the tragic deaths of Israeli athletes at the hands of the Palestinian militant group Black September. The topically relevant subject matter as well as its focus on the ABC Sports network’s coverage of the events has made it one of the most interesting films of the year. Here are three reasons why you should watch it.

1. September 5 Deals With The 1972 Munich Massacre From Another Perspective A still from September 5 | Credits: Paramount Pictures

The 1972 Munich Massacre during the Summer Olympics in Germany was one of the most harrowing incidents in history.

Daniel Craig reflected on his more than 30-year career during a conversation at the BFI in London on Monday night, including his time as James Bond. Though he said he “loved every second” of playing 007, he admitted that the level of fame was “emotionally difficult” not only for him but for his family.

When asked by film critic Mark Kermode if he enjoyed playing Bond, Craig replied: “I did. I loved every second of it. I mean, some of it was tough and weird and strange and emotionally kind of difficult for everybody, including my family. The fame is weird.”

Pre-Bond, Craig was known for his role in Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated “Munich” (2005) and had supporting turns in films like “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001) and Sam Mendes’ “Road to Perdition” (2002). But Bond changed everything.

“I was working and had a little bit of fame and it bought me, you know,...

The HBO drama Succession followed the corporate wars between Brian Cox’s Logan Roy and his three children, who struggled to gain control of their media conglomerate company Waystar RoyCo. The series was widely regarded for its performances, and writing, and also won the Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy for Best Drama Series.

While Cox’s character faced many obstacles in his bid to save his empire, no one was as dangerous as Marcia Roy, his third wife played by Hiam Abbass. The Palestinian actress had been in multiple films such as Blade Runner 2049 and Munich before she joined the series. Abbass mentioned that she was against TV shows before joining Succession.

Succession’s Hiam Abbass Hated TV Before Joining The Show A still from Succession | Credits: HBO

In the four seasons of Succession, Brian Cox’s Logan Roy has faced several obstacles including his children, brother, son-in-law, and his own trusted advisors.

Over the more than three decades during which Daniel Craig has been acting in the movies, there’s not much that the British A-lister hasn’t done. Most famously, he played James Bond in five films over 15 years (2006’s Casino Royale, 2008’s Quantum of Solace, 2012’s Skyfall, 2015’s Spectre and 2021’s No Time to Die). He has also worked with many of the greatest filmmakers (e.g. Steven Spielberg on 2005’s Oscar-nominated Munich and David Fincher on 2011’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and actors (e.g. Tom Hanks and Paul Newman on 2002’s Road to Perdition) of his time. And he is at the center of Netflix’s biggest film franchise (playing detective Benoit Blanc in 2019’s Knives Out, 2022’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and the forthcoming Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery).

Never, though, has Craig, 56, been nominated for an Oscar. That could...

Adam Somner, an award-winning assistant director, producer and longtime collaborator of Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and Paul Thomas Anderson, has died. He was 57.

Somner died Wednesday of anaplastic thyroid cancer, a family spokesperson announced.

Born in the U.K., Somner built a successful career in Hollywood, working alongside Spielberg, Scorsese, Anderson, Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Ridley Scott. His most recent project was Anderson’s untitled Warner Bros. film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Some of the movies Somner worked on with Spielberg throughout his career were West Side Story, Lincoln, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Ready Player One, Bridge of Spies and Munich. As for Scorsese, he worked on Killers of the Flower Moon and The Wolf of Wall Street. He collaborated with Anderson on Licorice Pizza, Phantom Thread, Inherent Vice, The Master and There Will Be Blood. Somner worked with Scott on All the Money in the World,...

Adam Somner, a respected assistant director and producer for filmmakers including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, Alejandro Inarritu and Ridley Scott, died Wednesday of thyroid cancer in Studio City. He was 57.

Most recently, Somner served as producer and assistant director on Anderson’s upcoming Warner Bros. film starring Leonardo Di Caprio. He was part of the producing team for Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza,” which was nominated for a best picture Oscar.

Born in the U.K., Somner got his start assisting on films such as “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” before moving into assistant directing. He was third assistant director on Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” and continued working with the director on numerous films including “West Side Story,” “Ready Player One,” “Lincoln,” “Munich” and “War of the Worlds.”

Spielberg remembered Somner in a statement, saying, “The job title ‘assistant director’ is insufficient to describe what...

Historical drama September 5 charts the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis and is tipped to be an Oscar contender. A trailer:

September 5 is releasing in the US this week, which means we’ve got a final trailer to absorb before the film itself lands. Based on the hostage crisis that occurred during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, September 5 is a Paramount film that is said to cover the events from a different angle from previous explorations of the story, including Steven Spielberg’s 2005 film, Munich.

According to the synopsis:

‘The story focuses on Geogg, a young and ambitious producer striving to prove himself to legendary TV executive Roone Arledge. Together with German interpreter Marianne and his mentor Marvin Bade, Geoff unexpectedly takes the helm of the live coverage.’

Some are speculating that the film is so good that it’ll son be in awards contention. Early reviews are strong, and while early critical...

Former James Bond actor Daniel Craig reflects on how he dealt with his newfound fame following the release of Casino Royale in 2006. After Die Another Day in 2002, Craig was chosen as Pierce Brosnan's replacement, a decision that was initially met with a great deal of skepticism. Martin Campbell's Casino Royale was an undeniable hit critically and commercially, however, and Craig went on to play 007 four more times, bidding farewell to the franchise with the explosive No Time To Die ending in 2021.

During a recent interview with The New Yorker, Craig reflects on the period of his life immediately following the release of Casino Royale. "I was really rocked by it," Craig says, "Really rocked." Craig recalls the pendulum swing from nobody thinking he was right for the part to everyone loving Casino Royale, using the experience to speak more broadly about his loss of privacy and anonymity:

F-cking disaster.

John Magaro is the glue that holds September 5 together. He stars as ABC Sports producer Geoffrey Mason, who was covering the 1972 Munich Olympics when Black September terrorists took Israeli athletes hostage in the Olympic compound. Magaro must convey the enormous pressure and responsibility placed on Mason as he is suddenly thrust into the hot seat to produce live coverage. Director Tim Fehlbaum chose Magaro because, he says, “He’s one of the best there is.” Next, Magaro is set to appear with Michael Fassbender in the spy drama The Agency, followed by Maggie Gyllenhaal’s film The Bride.

Deadline: You weren’t even born then, but what did you already know about Munich ’72?

John Magaro: I knew about it. I don’t know why I knew about it. I mean, I’ve always been a lover of history. My mother’s Jewish. I was raised Jewish, so I think...

Paul Engelen died on November 3 at his home in West Sussex, England. He was a famous makeup artist who made players into unforgettable characters in movies and TV shows. Daniel Lawson Johnston, a fellow makeup artist and his son-in-law, said he was 75 years old and had been fighting cancer.

Over more than 50 years, Engelen had an amazing career in which he worked on some of the most famous movies ever made. For his work as a makeup artist, he won two Emmys and was nominated for two Academy Awards, solidifying his reputation as a master.

Engelen got his start in the business as an assistant makeup artist on Carol Reed’s “Oliver!” in 1968. He quickly became a major creative force in the field. Along with six James Bond movies, he worked on Steven Spielberg’s “Empire of the Sun” and “Munich,” as well as the first three seasons of HBO’s “Game of Thrones.

Paul Engelen, the British makeup designer who earned two Emmys and two Oscar nominations in a fabulous career that included work on Reds, Batman, The Phantom Menace, Gladiator and Game of Thrones, has died. He was 75.

Engelen died Nov. 3 of cancer at his home in West Sussex, England, his son-in-law (and fellow makeup designer) Daniel Lawson Johnston told The Hollywood Reporter.

Engelen also did makeup for three James Bonds — Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig — on the 007 films The Man With the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008).

He teamed with Blake Edwards on Victor/Victoria (1982), Trail of the Pink Panther (1982) and Curse of the Pink Panther (1983), with Steven Spielberg on Empire of the Sun (1987) and Munich (2005) and with Ridley Scott on Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005) and Robin Hood (2010).

Engelen shared his first Academy Award nom with Rick Baker...

Daniel Craig rose to international fame with his role as the fictional spy created by Ian Fleming, James Bond. Until his role in Casino Royale, his most prominent roles were alongside Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and in the Steven Spielberg film Munich. The role of Bond even got him into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Daniel Craig in a still from No Time to Die | Credits: Eon Productions

Craig’s salary for James Bond may not be the highest in his career, but it was enough for him to top actors like Pierce Brosnan and Sean Connery as the highest-paid Bond actor. The achievement came as no easy feat as Craig spent a good 15 years of his career in the role.

Daniel Craig Holds The Record For The Highest Paid James Bond Actor Daniel Craig as James Bond in Spectre | Credits: Eon Productions

The search for...

I love spy movies. Realistic spy movies, unrealistic spy movies, whatever—you name it and I’m there. If the entertainment quotient isn’t undermined too much by the government propaganda, you have my curiosity and my attention. I have watched the Bond movies, the Mission: Impossible films, the Bourne movies, the Kingsman films, the Yrf Spy Universe stuff, the Jack Ryan movies, Munich, Bridge of Spies, the Spy Kids movies, and more. But for some reason, when this genre enters the small screen and takes the episodic route, it loses my attention. I liked the first season of Jack Ryan, but with every subsequent installment, it got worse. Mr. & Mrs. Smith was horrible. The difference in quality between the first and second seasons of The Family Man was hilarious. Now, we have a TV series franchise in the form of Citadel. Ironically, I have no memory of watching the...

Disney+'s new documentary, Music by John Williams, offers insight into the life of the famed composer and the legendary music that led him to achieve multiple records at the Oscars. John Williams is one of the most celebrated composers in history with a career spanning more than 70 years. He has the unique ability to convey a story and themes through emotional and powerful orchestration. John Williams is responsible for many acclaimed movie scores, and is considered one of the movie industry's most influential composers.

The documentary looks into Williams' impressive career and his decades-long friendship with director Steven Spielberg; since 1974, he has scored music for 29 of Spielberg's movies, including the Indiana Jones franchise, Saving Private Ryan, and Munich. For his musical talents, Williams has been recognized multiple times at different award ceremonies, including the Oscars, where he holds one remarkable record that looks unlikely to ever be broken.

John Magaro went from an extra on a Steven Spielberg film to leading his own movie about the same tragic events 20 years later.

Magaro has steadily built a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors, seamlessly transitioning between indie gems and major studio films such as “Not Fade Away” and “Past Lives.” But despite his steady rise in the industry, he remains grounded and deeply connected to the craft of acting, driven by a passion for storytelling and a dedication to exploring the complexities of each role.

In this episode of the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Magaro discusses his latest project, Paramount Pictures’ “September 5” — a dramatic thriller about the 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis. He also reflects on his early days in the business, which included an unexpected start as an extra in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 film “Munich,” a full-circle moment for him. Listen below.

“What makes this...

The journalism thriller has been a quintessential subgenre of American historical cinema for decades, with Alan J. Pakula’s classic “All The President’s Men” often heralded as the best example. The reason that this perspective holds so much value is simple; by looking back at the ways in which news professionals covered a certain event, it becomes easier for the filmmaker to explore the profound impact that historical milestones had in real time. “September 5” could have easily been misconstrued as an attempted parallel to the current political crisis that has divided the world, but instead it reveals itself to be a thrilling procedural that examines the challenges of breaking a live story.

Tim Fehlbaum’s breakneck, 94-minute thriller examines the direct response and aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympic hostage crisis, in which the Israeli Olympic team were held hostage by terrorists. The incident was not only the first instance of...

Will Smith and Steven Spielberg were on a similar wavelength in the 2000s. After he finished licking his wounds from 1999's "Wild Wild West," Big Willie was hungry to prove his mettle as a dramatic actor. Adapting a bit of a one-for-them-one-for-me mentality, Smith earned his first two acting Oscar nods for "Ali" and "The Pursuit of Happyness" in-between nodding his head as Agent J and tearing up the streets of Miami again as Mike Lowrey. Even his tentpoles started to get a little darker and heavier along the way, with the actor anchoring a big screen rendition of Richard Matheson's end-times sci-fi horror tale "I Am Legend" and playing a hard-edged, heavy-drinking superhero in "Hancock."

Spielberg, meanwhile, spent the first decade of the 21st century redefining his work. Really, there was very little he didn't try his hand at during this period, from crafting disquieting, noirish visions of...

Bilal Hasna is transforming into Layla, the title drag queen in Amrou Al-Kadhi’s feature directorial debut.

“3 Body Problem” star Hasna leads “Layla,” which centers on an eponymous British-Palestinian drag queen in London who falls in love with an advertising executive (Louis Greatorex), all while navigating their identity around family and friends. Think a modern-day, queer take on “Romeo & Juliet.”

The British indie film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and later opened the BFI Flare: London Lgbtiq+ Film Festival. “Layla” also screened at the London Film Festival and Newfest.

Director Al-Kadhi previously worked as a drag performer before becoming a filmmaker. Al-Kadhi acted in Steven Spielberg’s “Munich,” “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” “The Souvenir: Part II,” and “American Horror Stories.” They helmed shorts “Anemone,” “Run(a)Way Arab,” “Clash,” and “Define Gender: Victoria Sin” before making their feature debut with “Layla.”

IndieWire’s...

Paramount Pictures’ historical drama, “September 5,” which recounts the harrowing true story of the 1972 Munich Olympic hostage crisis, is gearing up for the upcoming Oscar race with a full-scale awards campaign.

Following enthusiastic receptions at the Venice and Telluride film festivals, the film’s ensemble cast, including Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, and Leonie Benesch, will compete in the supporting acting categories. In addition, the film is set to contend in major categories such as best picture, director, and original screenplay. Paramount Pictures acquired the film from its boutique label Republic Pictures shortly after yjr festival debuts.

“September 5” joins Paramount’s awards slate, which also includes Ridley Scott’s epic sequel “Gladiator II,” two music biopics — Michael Gracey’s Robbie Williams biopic “Better Man” and Reinaldo Marcus Green’s “Bob Marley:One Love” — and Josh Cooley’s animated feature “Transformers One.”

Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, who co-wrote the screenplay with Moritz Binder,...

For over 5 decades, Steven Spielberg has blessed the world with many attention-grabbing movies. From Schindler’s List to E.T., Catch Me If You Can, and more, the 77-year-old has proved to be one of the best directors in the film industry. As a prominent figure in Hollywood and an advocate for Jewish culture, he has been rather open about his experiences with antisemitism since his childhood days.

Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg | Image credit: Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0

However, it was not until Spielberg decided to create his semi-autobiographical film, The Fabelmans, that his own experiences were brought to light. With the 2022 film being loosely based on his own childhood, fans got more insight into the mind of the creative.

Steven Spielberg reveals where he faced antisemitism

Over the years, Steven Spielberg has played with Jewish themes and topics in his films like Schindler’s List and Munich.

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg is the mind behind some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, with hits like Jurassic Park, Jaws, and many more under his belt. Despite delivering hit after hit over the decades, Spielberg admitted that he does not watch his own creations. However, Spielberg’s real reason for not revisiting his films might surprise some fans.

Steven Spielberg has directed some of the biggest blockbusters (Credit: NBC)

In an interview, Spielberg reflected on his career, revealing that he avoids watching his movies. The filmmaker’s reasoning behind not watching the films he has directed is a bit more nuanced than one might imagine. Here is what Spielberg said about his reaction to the movies he has created and why he does not want to revisit them despite their popularity and success.

Steven Spielberg Admits Being Too Busy to Watch His Movies in Theaters

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg tasted...

At 77, Steven Spielberg isn’t holding back! The legendary director just dropped some truth bombs about his post-War of the Worlds flicks, admitting that the films that followed didn’t quite hit the mark. It’s not every day you hear a titan of cinema reflect so candidly, but Spielberg’s honesty shines through as he acknowledges a string of less-than-stellar projects.

Steven Spielberg | Image by: Gage Skidmore licensed under Cc By-sa 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

It’s a bold move for a guy who’s given us classics like Jaws and E.T., proving that even the best can have their off days. So, what’s behind his revelation? Let’s dive into Spielberg’s journey through the highs and lows of Hollywood as he reexamines his filmography!

Steven Spielberg at 77: Why the Legendary Director’s Choosing History Over Blockbusters Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise from the set of...

A hot sales title and potential Oscar contender is generating buzz on the festival circuit: Tim Fehlbaum’s tension-filled drama, “September 5.” If any studio feels like adding another worthy awards hopeful to its slate, this film could go far under the right guidance.

The film, which has received outstanding reviews at both Venice and Telluride, could make a significant impact given its timely and compelling story. Set on Sept. 5, 1972, it portrays the international hostage crisis involving the Israeli Olympic team, as it unfolded live on global television. However, the story is told from the perspective of the broadcasters. The period drama features a talented ensemble cast, including John Magaro, Peter Sarsgaard, Ben Chaplin and Leonie Benesch.

“September 5” is a taut, suspenseful thriller, and even if you’ve seen (and hopefully admired) Steven Spielberg’s “Munich” (2005), this retelling more than warrants its perspective, reminiscent of previous Oscar winners like “Spotlight” and “All the President’s Men.

Image Source: Amazon In the first couple decades of his career, Steven Spielberg focused on fictional stories. But once Spielberg made Schindler’s List, he found himself wanting to tell more and more real-life stories, including the ones behind Amistad, Munich, Bridge of Spies, The Post, and Catch Me If You Can. But one of Spielberg’s most critically acclaimed films — a 12-time Oscar nominee — was 2012’s Lincoln, which focused on the last few months of ‘s life. Spielberg made a conscious decision to hone in on a very specific time frame when making the movie, Before Lincoln was released he spoke about his rationale for the film taking place during juncture of President Lincoln’s life. (Click on the media bar below to hear Steven Spielberg) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Steven_Spielberg_Lincoln_.mp3

Lincoln is available on DVD, Blu-Ray, and most digital platforms.

The post Why Spielberg...

Editor’s Note: This review was originally published during the 2024 Venice Film Festival. Paramount releases “September 5” in theaters December 13.

A story that doesn’t seem fresh on paper — and one previously explored in Steven Spielberg’s “Munich” — may be a barrier to entry for some audiences. But Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum’s “September 5,” which takes audiences inside the airtight, under-air-conditioned ABC News control room as terrorists commandeered the 1972 Summer Olympics mere yards away, is a gripping, singular depiction that stands on its own merits.

In a tight 94 minutes, Fehlbaum pivots from the mayhem outside and solely toward the handful of sports broadcasters forced to improvise as eight Palestinian militants, known as Black September, took the Israeli Olympic team hostage. All 11 hostages were killed. Though going into this movie with that historical perspective doesn’t impede the tension onscreen — even if “September 5’s” psychological inquiry into the crisis and how it reshaped TV news,...

Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum’s “September 5,” which premiered on Thursday at the Venice International Film Festival, takes a story that seems to call for an expansive approach and situates it almost entirely within a couple of dark rooms. It focuses on a real event, the terrorist attack on Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics, and turns it into a procedural that follows not the terrorists or the athletes or the authorities, but the overworked crew of TV reporters trying to figure out how to cover an attack that took the world by surprise.

“September 5” is hardly the first film to deal with what became known as the Munich massacre – the documentary “One Day in September” won an Oscar in 1999, and Steven Spielberg dealt with Israel’s reprisals in “Munich” six years later – but it’s one that finds a new way into a story that has become sadly familiar.

On Sept. 5, 1972, millions watched a tense international hostage situation unfold live on ABC television, as members of a militant Palestinian faction calling itself Black September infiltrated the Olympic Village in Munich and held the Israeli team hostage. In “September 5,” we watch the sports crew of an American TV network step up to the challenge of covering such a monumental event. For better or worse, their decisions made history, as the incident fed on media attention, and ABC became the first network to broadcast an act of terrorism on live TV.

Even those who weren’t alive at the time likely have a pretty good idea of what happened, thanks in part to Steven Spielberg, whose film “Munich” opens with a reenactment of the same massacre. In the nerve-racking opening minutes of that movie, Spielberg established a core reason that Swiss director Tim Fehlbaum’s focus on the media makes sense...

The terrorist attack during the 1972 Munich Olympics was an unspeakable tragedy that haunted the International Olympic Committee for decades. On September 5, 1972, a terrorist group known as Black September killed two members of the Israeli Olympic team and took another nine hostages, demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel and other countries. What occurred over 24 hours has been depicted in numerous television programs, documentaries such as the Oscar-winning “One Day in September,” and films, including Steven Spielberg’s highly regarded 2005 thriller “Munich.” Regrettably, history was made for other reasons that fateful day and it was the first time a terrorist attack was covered on live television.

Continue reading ‘September 5’ Review: A Captivating Chronicle Of Historic Munich ’72 Telecast [Venice] at The Playlist.

Adam Elliot’s animated feature “Memoir of a Snail” from IFC Films shows off sibling love with a snail’s quirky, whimsical nature in the first trailer ahead of its North American premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, which was announced in today’s lineup.

The stop-motion adult drama took nearly a decade to create and follows the life of Grace Puddle, a lonely misfit with a passion for collecting ornamental snails and a deep love for romance novels. Her life takes a downward turn when she’s separated from her twin brother at a young age. Despite ongoing hardships, Grace perseveres and finds inspiration through a friendship with Pinky, an elderly eccentric woman, as she slowly learns to find confidence and love.

The sweet trailer follows the twins as they grow from babies to teenagers, encountering bullies, rollercoasters, and old ladies in bikinis. With a swell of dramatic music...

Steven Spielberg's 2012 drama "Lincoln" may be considered the second part of a thematic trilogy in the filmmaker's oeuvre. Spielberg, from 2005 through 2017, made three notable historical biographies that dealt with specific historical events, but which were clearly being made to comment on dramatic political events in the present.

2005's "Munich" was about the infamous bombing at the 1972 Munich Olympics, wherein Palestinian forces killed 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team. This plan of political vengeance, however, only begets more violence, and solves nothing. Spielberg ended the film with a pensive shot of the World Trade Center towers. "Lincoln," meanwhile, took place at a time in Abraham Lincoln's life when he tried to pass the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery. Written by Tony Kushner, the film was clearly a parallel comment on marriage equality. 2017's "The Post," about the notorious Pentagon Papers, was clearly a post-Trump movie. These three films are Spielberg's best.

Here’s your first look at Ciarán Hinds as Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2 playing new character Dark Wizard.

The character is billed as “A dark and powerful wizard, whose origins and intentions are shrouded in secrecy, and who has a legion of magic-wielding acolytes who obey his every command — among them the three travelers who sought out the Stranger at the end of Season 1… on the Dark Wizard’s orders.”

His casting was revealed earlier this year, as Rory Kinnear and Tanya Moodie also joined the cast. At the time, no character descriptions were forthcoming.

Oscar- and BAFTA-nominated for his role in Belfast, Hinds has also starred in films including Munich, There Will Be Blood, In Bruges and Justice League as well as TV series including Game of Thrones and Rome.

Developed by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, The Lord of the Rings series is...

This article is part of IndieWire’s 2000s Week celebration. Click here for a whole lot more.

Much like the decade that produced them, the movies of the 2000s were shaped in response to such profound and irrevocable change that it’s difficult to assign them a cohesive identity of their own; it can be tempting to think of them as a long suspension bridge between then and now rather than as a well-defined era unto itself. When the sun rose on the start of the new millennium, the vast majority of films were shot and projected on film, superhero movies were still considered an outlandish gamble, middle-class malaise was American cinema’s preoccupying crisis, and James Cameron was the biggest director on the planet. By the time the smoke cleared 10 years later, digital had pushed celluloid to the brink of extinction, Marvel was beginning to exert an iron grip on the multiplex,...

Edward Berger’s follow-up to All Quiet On The Western Front is Conclave – and here’s the trailer for the movie.

Off the back of the huge critical success of 2022’s All Quiet On The Western Front, director Edward Berger likely found himself with lots of options.

The director is certainly enjoying a bit of a moment, with some sources suggesting that he could be given the keys to the James Bond franchise next and tasked with successfully conceiving a new 007 to fill the rather large (and impeccably tasteful) shoes vacated by Daniel Craig.

Whether that comes to pass or not though, Berger’s next film to release will be Conclave, a papal drama set in the Vatican that centres around the secret process of selecting a new Pope after the death of the previous incumbent.

The filmmaker has drawn on some heavyweight talent for this adaptation. The source material is a Robert Harris book,...

IFC Films has announced the U.S. release date for the animated feature “Memoir of a Snail,” directed by Academy Award winner Adam Elliot. This charming stop-motion adult drama took nearly a decade to create and will open in limited release on Oct. 25, with a wider expansion throughout November.

The film follows the life of Grace Puddle, a lonely misfit with a passion for collecting ornamental snails and a deep love for romance novels. Her life takes a downward turn when she’s separated from her twin brother at a young age. Despite ongoing hardships, Grace perseveres and finds inspiration through a friendship with Pinky, an elderly eccentric woman, as she slowly learns to find confidence and love.

“Memoir of a Snail” is Elliot’s second stop-motion feature, following his critically acclaimed “Mary and Max” (2009), which opened at Sundance. An Oscar winner for best animated short for “Harvie Krumpet” (2003), Elliot...

Steven Spielberg has had a lot of experience navigating the unchartered paths in Hollywood and going places where no one has ever been before. For the director, his entire career has been about achieving the ultimate creative expression, be it through film, television, or theater.

Steven Spielberg on the sets of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom [Credit: Paramount Pictures]

As such, every individual project conceived from the director’s imagination is a masterclass in creative expression. Apart from a couple of films like 1941, Steven Spielberg’s reputation as a genius behind the camera remains unparalleled and unchallenged even 60 years down the line.

Steven Spielberg’s Drama Inspires Al Pacino Series

Steven Spielberg has been the visionary creator of countless projects and ambitious films throughout the past handful of decades. As such, it is hardly possible for a show to exist that is inspired directly from one of his films...

While his breakthrough film Chopper was a slow-burn success, it did bring Hollywood’s focus to Aussie star Eric Bana, who went on to join forces with several major auteurs in the following years. From leading Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down and later headlining Ang Lee’s Hulk, the actor soon cemented himself as a prominent force in the realm of showbiz.

Moreover, the actor has also been in the forefront when it comes to Bond fan castings and per reports, he was also one of the major frontrunners to replace Pierce Brosnan. Although there’s no way of knowing if these reports were true or not, even if he was offered the iconic gig, it’s pretty evident that the actor would’ve passed on it.

Eric Bana Detailed Why He Was Always Against Playing James Bond Eric Bana in a still from Munich | Amblin Entertainment

Although getting...

Australian actor Eric Bana had a fascinating professional trajectory. He first started out as a comedian in the comedy series Full Frontal before gaining momentum in his career with the Australian crime drama Chopper (2000). The audience loved his portrayal of criminal Mark “Chopper” Read, but his international breakthrough came with the 2003 movie Hulk, helmed by Ang Lee.

Eric Bana in Deadfall (2012) || Magnolia Pictures

Even though Eric Bana saw it as a fantastic career opportunity, he had some reservations of his own. He explained why he didn’t feel like a leading man when playing the Hulk in a previous interview.

Eric Bana Didn’t Feel Like a Leading Man in Hulk

Eric Bana‘s career reached entirely new heights after starring in the crime drama Chopper. He began receiving major offers from directors. For instance, Ridley Scott got him on board for Black Hawk Down and Ang Lee’s Hulk,...

Steven Spielberg chased Daniel Day-Lewis for the title role in Lincoln for nine years before the actor committed to the role. After the director met with him for the first time, Day-Lewis sent him a letter explaining why he could not take part in the project. Spielberg had the script rewritten for him and he rejected it yet again.

Daniel Day-Lewis in a still from Lincoln | DreamWorks Pictures

Spielberg brought in Tony Kushner, who previously wrote Munich for him, to write a more character-oriented story that was eventually made into the film. After Day-Lewis turned him down, Spielberg approached Liam Neeson to play the role, who prepared for the role extensively. However, Neeson left the project in 2010 and it circled back to Day-Lewis once again.

Steven Spielberg Had To Go The Extra Mile To Convince Daniel Day-Lewis To Star In Lincoln Sally Field and Daniel Day-Lewis in Lincoln | DreamWorks Pictures...

Marvin Levy, the veteran marketing and publicity professional who has worked exclusively for Steven Spielberg since 1977, is retiring. Spielberg informed employees of the news at his company, Amblin Partners, in an email sent on Monday and obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, calling it “the end of an era.”

Levy, who began his career in the 1950s, was employed at Columbia Pictures in 1977 when Spielberg made Close Encounters of the Third Kind for the studio. He and the filmmaker hit it off, and Levy soon left to become Spielberg’s full-time consigliere, of sorts, shaping the promotional and awards campaigns of dozens of Spielberg projects including E.T., The Color Purple, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan, Munich and Bridge of Spies.

Much beloved and respected across the industry, Levy served on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ board of governors for decades. In 2018, the board voted to present him with an honorary Oscar,...

Star Wars stands as one of the most iconic franchises in history. Whether you’re a fan or not, its influence is undeniable, propelling some actors to stardom while turning veterans, who sometimes hesitated at first, into beloved icons synonymous with their Star Wars roles today.

However, there are celebrities whose brief appearances in the franchise may have gone unnoticed. Some were recognizable from the start, while others remained hidden until their roles were revealed later on.

This article highlights the 10 significant celebrity cameos in the Star Wars franchise, many of which you likely missed during your viewings of the movies or TV series. Fiction Horizon is here to uncover these hidden gems for you! (Note: This list is not in any particular order.)

1. Tom Hardy as a Stormtrooper

This is just one of numerous Stormtrooper cameos throughout the series, and there have been many. Identifying Tom Hardy under that mask was impossible,...