FILM 1778: 88 MINUTES

FILM 1778: 88 MINUTES

TRIVIA: The film runs in "real time" meaning that at the moment Jack Gramm is first told he has only 88 minutes to live, the remaining running time of the motion picture until the identity of the person who set Gramm up is exactly 88 minutes.

Was scheduled for release in 2005 but the release date was pushed back numerous times.

This movie reunites Al Pacino and Damien Leake from Sea of Love 1989.

This movie reunites Al Pacino and Amy Brenneman from Heat 1995.

FILM 1766: INSOMNIA

TRIVIA: As of 2017, this is the only film directed by Christopher Nolan in which Nolan does not have an official writing credit - even though he wrote the final draft of the screenplay himself.

Although primarily known for comedic roles, this is one of two thrillers in which Robin Williams starred in the same year. The other was One Hour Photo (2002).

Will Dormer's name comes from the French and Spanish word "dormir" - to sleep.

Insomnia (2002), Dunkirk (2017) and Following (1998) are the only movies directed by Christopher Nolan that are not listed in IMDb's Top 250 as of 2018. His other 7 movies are among the best 250 movies ever made as voted by IMDb users.

This film stars three Academy Award winners: Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, and Robin Williams.

FILM 1437: CARLITO'S WAY

TRIVIA: The exterior of the hospital where Carlito visits his bedridden attorney is the same one where Vito Corleone is taken in The Godfather (1972), also starring Al Pacino.

The name of Carlito's (Al Pacino's) nightclub is "El Paraíso", the same name as the food stand that Pacino's character operated in Scarface (1983).

Al Pacino and Penelope Ann Miller became romantically involved during filming. Miller spoke publicly about their romance in interviews. But Pacino was in a relationship with Lyndall Hobbs at the time. Pacino attended the film's premiere with Hobbs and avoided Miller entirely.

According to Brian De Palma, Sean Penn demanded 30 takes of the shot of Kleinfeld asking Carlito to help him with Tony T's escape. When De Palma wanted to move on to the next shot, Penn screamed at De Palma. He continued to yell at De Palma on the ride back to New York City. He later called De Palma on the phone to continue yelling at him. De Palma said that was the only argument they had on the film.

John Leguizamo turned down the part of Benny Blanco four times. He finally took the role after Brian De Palma allowed Leguizamo to improvise much of his lines.

According to John Leguizamo in his autobiography, he and Penelope Ann Miller did not get along during filming. He claims he got revenge on her by having the wardrobe department take in her clothes an inch at a time causing Miller to go on a crash diet.

When the mob guys stop Carlito at the club and had him sit down to size them up, they joke with him about looking Italian. In actuality Al Pacino (Carlito) is Italian-American.

FILM 1407: DANNY COLLINS

TRIVIA: Inspired by the story of singer Steve Tilston, who learned of the existence of a letter that John Lennon had written to him 34 years after the letter was written.

The "Danny Collins" concert footage at the beginning of the film was shot at a Los Angeles concert by the band Chicago.

Dan Fogelman had Pacino in mind to play Danny Collins while writing the script. Pacino agreed, with only one request, that Bobby Cannavale play his son.

The key song in the film is written by Ryan Adams, and the version playing in the background actually features Adams singing.

The pictures on the wall of Collins' house (around 10 mins in), are all pics from previous Pacino roles; The Godfather, Serpico etc.

Michael Caine was originally cast but dropped out due to scheduling conflicted and replaced by Christopher Plummer

FILM 1122: PHIL SPECTOR

TRIVIA: The film revolves around the murder of Lana Clarkson. Clarkson appeared in Scarface (1983) together with Al Pacino, who plays Phil Spector in this film.

Helen Mirren replaced Bette Midler. Midler was forced to bow out of the project after suffering a herniated disc.

Film 1065: Sea of Love

Trivia: The apprehension of criminals by arranging a "Meet the Yankees" breakfast was based on an actual event.

Novelist Richard Price originally wrote the screenplay for Dustin Hoffman, but he wanted too many rewrites so Al Pacino took over the role.

According to the documentary included with the DVD, included in the final cut of the film is a scene where Al Pacino's character gets rudely bumped into on 5th Avenue while trying to court Ellen Barkin's character. According to the director this was an unscripted moment caused by a real New Yorker and not an extra. Pacino incorporates the moment into his performance and continues without missing a beat.

When Frank Keller is trying to convince his Lieutenant to let him try the restaurant sting operation without wearing a wire, he says "What is she gonna do, confess? Shoot me? We're in a restaurant!!" Al Pacino famously played Michael Corleone in a scene where he shot a cop in a restaurant, which was also supposed to be improbable.