Hello to everyone who has been following this blog for many years - I'm still blogging, I'm just moving over to https://www.claireheffer.com/blog - please continue to follow and let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been kind enough to visit over the years. May the lists continue...
Showing posts with label based on a true story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label based on a true story. Show all posts

Saturday, 10 August 2019

FILM 2022: AMERICAN ANIMALS


FILM 2022: AMERICAN ANIMALS

TRIVIA: This is a true story about college students who stole a priceless book from Transylvania University, which is located in Lexington, Kentucky. Though the movie was filmed in North Carolina.
During filming the actors were not allowed to meet their real life counterparts because the director feared they would sympathise and/or play them in a certain light.

The movie was filmed in the Davidson College Library during the week of Spring Break of 2017. Through the chaos of equipment, actors, extras, and all the technical people it takes to make a movie, the library staff continued to perform their jobs. Some of the staff were asked to submit their head shots to be cast in the film which resulted in one person being asked to be in the film. However, it was inconvenient for staff to take the time away from their jobs to be in the film, so, therefore, no staff person was in the film. But, if you look closely in the shots filmed in the library, there are offices with their blinds down. Staff are behind those blinds working diligently making sure the library still functioned.

John Waters named this film second among his top ten favorite films released in 2018.

Darren Keith revealed Warren asked him for help with the heist as well but he denied the offer in hopes of pursuing his acting career.



Sunday, 12 May 2019

FILM 1992: EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE


FILM 1992: EXTREMELY WICKED, SHOCKINGLY EVIL AND VILE

TRIVIA: The name of this film came from a quote from the court judge on Bundy's trial. He quoted, "The crimes were extremely wicked, shockingly evil, vile, and the product of design to inflict a high degree of pain."

There was once a petition in 2016 from fans to cast Zac Efron as Ted Bundy in the upcoming biography movie. Former lawyer of Ted Bundy agrees that Efron actually bears a resemblance to the serial killer.

When Ted is asking Liz if he ever laid a hand on her or raised his voice the film neglects the instances from the past where he was controlling and odd One one occasion he pushed Liz into a lake during an argument. The film also neglects to mention his constant stealing.


Sunday, 5 May 2019

FILM 1985: THE BOSTON STRANGLER


FILM 1985: THE BOSTON STRANGLER

TRIVIA: Film debut of Edward Winter.

Shortly before filming was set to begin, the real Albert DeSalvo escaped from the mental institution where he was imprisoned. He was later captured after being on the run for thirty-three hours.

Tony Curtis broke his nose while filming a chase scene.

Tony Curtis was on Variety's list of Top Ten Overpriced Stars in 1968.

Other actors considered for the role of Albert DeSalvo were Robert Redford and Warren Beatty.


Friday, 19 April 2019

FILM 1976: THE BIG SICK


FILM 1976: THE BIG SICK

TRIVIA: The film was released in the United States on Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon's tenth wedding anniversary.

While writing the script, Kumail Nanjiani wanted his on-screen family to reflect the jokey and humorous traits of his real-life family. He bemoaned that so many Muslim characters were so frequently depicted as overly serious, and he aimed to avoid that stereotype.

The decision to add the real-life photos of Emily and Kumail in the credits was suggested by actress Leslie Mann after seeing an early cut of the film.

Producer Judd Apatow reached out to Ray Romano for the part of Terry, after briefly working with him in the movie Funny People (2009). He was also a huge fan of Romano's sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond (1996).

In an interview on The Late Show, Zoe Kazan admitted that while filming the scenes where she was in a coma she often fell asleep and inevitably ruined takes by waking up in the middle of them.

The film was the only non-Best Picture nominee for the year to be nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars.

Mary's stand-up routine with the flip-chart easel is based on Aidy Bryant's real stand-up routine.


Sunday, 17 February 2019

FILM 1945: CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?


FILM 1945: CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?

TRIVIA: Melissa McCarthy's husband, Ben Falcone, was attached to the project before she was. He recommended her for the lead when another actor backed out.

A pile of Lee Israel books ("Beyond the Magic", an unauthorized biography of Estée Lauder) are shown on sale at a bookstore for 75% off. Lauder was publishing her own memoirs and initially tried to pay Israel *not* to write her book, but she refused and rushed her book to publication. The autobiography was released in October 1985 and Israel's biography one month later. The book buying public chose to buy the Lauder autobiography rather than the Israel biography. Lee Israel later said she regretted not taking the money when it was first offered.

Although he portrays an alcoholic, Richard E. Grant is allergic to alcohol.

Julianne Moore was attached to this project during early development. She removed herself from the project due to creative differences.

Melissa McCarthy's first portrayal of real-life person.



Friday, 16 November 2018

FILM 1872: WORLD TRADE CENTER



FILM 1872: WORLD TRADE CENTER 

TRIVIA: Test audiences believed that Dave Karnes (Michael Shannon), the former Marine, was a Hollywood invention. This is, in fact, a true story that occurred. Karnes later re-enlisted in the Marine Corps and served two tours of duty in Iraq. Also, as reported by the Associated Press on August 14, 2006, the Marine identified only as Sergeant Thomas (who disappeared shortly after 9/11) has been identified as Jason Thomas, a former Marine who grabbed his uniform and immediately drove to Ground Zero to help. Because his identity was unknown at the time of filming, Sgt. Thomas - who is black - was portrayed by William Mapother, a white man. The producers have since apologized to Sgt. Thomas for the miscasting. Thomas has laughed it off and told them not to be concerned, stating, "I don't want to shed any negativity on what they were trying to show."

The city of New York absolutely prohibited the recreation of 9/11 destruction or chaos on location. The filmmakers were not even allowed to film actors looking upward toward where the towers would be. The drive of the officers up to the site was permitted to be filmed, but all scenes depicting events at or near the WTC were filmed in Los Angeles.

In preparing for his portrayal of Sgt. John McLoughlin, Nicolas Cage focused on accurately speaking with a New York accent. And to also capture the fear and claustrophobia of McLoughlin's ordeal, Cage spent hours in a sensory-deprivation tank in Venice, California.

The first theatrical film to recreate the collapse of the World Trade Center towers.

Officer Scott Strauss, a first responder with the New York City Emergency Services unit, was offered the chance to play himself in the film. However, Strauss refused to do so and Stephen Dorff was then cast to portray him. Strauss's services as a consultant were retained for the film to which he didn't accept payment.

Due to her infamous quote that "America is responsible in some way" for the 9/11 attacks, Maggie Gyllenhaal personally offered to withdraw from the project to Officer William Jimeno and his wife Allison Jimeno. They both declined and gave their blessing for Gyllenhaal to take the role.

Director Oliver Stone's first two choices to play John McLoughlin were Mel Gibson and George Clooney.

Feature film debut of Jon Bernthal.