Rest In Peace- Ten Actors That Died During Filming

   Death doesn't take a holiday. Not even when a movie production is underway. Many of these tragic tales were major news stories. Some are still the subject of varied speculation. How did(fill in the blank) die again? What became of the film he or she was working on? How might things have turned out differently? Here are ten actors that left unfinished business.

Bruce Lee- "Game of Death"(1978)
It's common knowledge that the martial arts deity's last completed film was 1973's "Enter the Dragon". Suffering from seizures and headaches, Lee was in Hong Kong taking a break from shooting the aptly titled "Game of Death" on July 20th of that same year, when he took a nap that he never woke up from. The official cause of death was acute cerebral edema(swelling of the brain) brought on by a hypersensitivity to painkillers. The massive interest in Lee throughout the 1970s prompted Golden Harvest studios to enlist "Dragon" director John Clouse to finish the movie five years later with the use of stand-ins and archival footage from his previous films. The portions with the real Bruce that remained intact included three fight scenes in his iconic yellow track suit. It was enough to satisfy diehard fans despite the 'lookalikes' that bore little resemblance and the obvious difference in quality between the two prints that were melded together. Nearly forty years later, the cult of Lee lives on.

Natalie Wood- "Brainstorm"(1983)
The beautiful actress was best known for her roles in such classics as "Miracle on 34th Street", "Splendor in the Grass", "Rebel Without a Cause" and "West Side Story". She received three Academy Award nominations before age 25. During a production break on this sci-fi dud, Wood drowned during a late night weekend boat trip with husband Robert Wagner and co-star Christopher Walken on November 29, 1981. She was 43. "Brainstorm" almost wasn't released at all, and director Douglas Trumball insisted that the end result would have been much more cohesive had Natalie lived to complete her role. Her death was declared an accident for 31 years, however a new investigation in 2012 reclassified the cause as 'undetermined'.

Vic Morrow- "The Twilight Zone: The Movie"(1983)
The veteran film and television actor played an outspoken racist in the first of three stories in this big screen update of the classic TV show that aired from 1959-63. Morrow's character travels back in time and is thrust into various points in history where he finds out what's it's like to be a persecuted victim. As a Jew, he winds up in Germany during the Holocaust; he's then confronted by members of the Klu Klux Klan who think he's black; and finally he's transported to the Vietnam War where U.S. soldiers treat him like a Vietnamese man. During the filming of the Vietnam scenes, a pyrotechnics explosion caused a stunt helicopter to crash on top of Morrow and two child actors playing Vietnamese children on July 23, 1982. All three were decapitated. Director John Landis and several others including the pilot and producer Steven Spielberg were later acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in a 1987 trial.

Heather O'Rourke- "Poltergeist III"(1988)
The adorable child actor made her mark on horror film lore when she delivered the famous line, "They're here" as Carol Anne Freeling in the 1982 haunted house hit "Poltergeist". She was one of only two members of the original cast to come back for a cheap third installment that was symptomatic of an overworked genre that was being driven into the ground by cash-grab sequels. O'Rourke became ill shortly before beginning work on the film and was misdiagnosed with Crohn's disease and prescribed a medication that puffed up her cheeks. Her condition took a sudden turn for the worst during the latter stages of production and she was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead of cardiac arrest one month after her twelfth birthday. A body double, a few script alterations and some messy special effects were employed to obscure the fact that Carol Anne's face is never seen in the closing moments of the film. This is the biggest example of the so-called 'Curse of Poltergeist'- Dominique Dunn, Julian Beck and Will Sampson all died soon after their appearances in the franchise.

Brandon Lee- "The Crow"(1994)
The rising young actor who made his film debut in 1992's "Rapid Fire" eerily died twenty years after his legendary father at the age of 28 from a freak on-set accident during the filming of his second starring role in this gothic comic book flick that clearly drew inspiration from Tim Burton's "Batman". He plays a slain rock and roll singer turned dark avenging angel that stalks the vile thugs who murdered him and his girlfriend. In the last days of filming, Lee was shot and killed by a 'prop' gun that contained a live round. This tragic event created a mystique that obviously helped the movie at the box office.  Would it have been as successful had he lived? Would Brandon have been a major star? We'll never know.

River Phoenix- "Dark Blood"(2012)
The brooding '80s teen idol whose credits included "Stand By Me", "Running on Empty", and "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" had three weeks of work left on this strange drama when he made that fateful trip to the Viper Room nightclub in LA on October 30, 1993. Phoenix overdosed on cocaine and heroin after a night of partying with girlfriend Samantha Mathis, brother Joaquin, Johnny Depp, and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Unable to shoot important scenes involving his young star, Dutch director George Sluizer soon abandoned the project. Eighteen years later, Sluizer announced that with some re-editing and adjustments he would soon be able to complete the movie and screen it at the Netherlands Film Festival. The initial feedback indicates that he shouldn't have bothered. This is a film that would have most likely been long forgotten had River lived.

John Candy- "Wagon's East"(1994)

The gregarious funnyman whose presence lit up numerous comedic hits such as "The Blues Brothers", "National Lampoon's Vacation", "Splash", "Spaceballs", "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", "Uncle Buck", and "Home Alone" just to name a few, couldn't have wanted this dreadful mock Western to be his swan song. Candy had expressed a desire to graduate to more serious roles in the early '90s, yet Hollywood seemed unwilling to grant him those opportunities which led to depressing vehicles like this one. He's barely recognizable in a hat and scruffy beard as a drunken wagon master and his lack of enthusiasm for the project was evident. Candy died of a heart attack in his sleep on March 4, 1994 while on location in Mexico. The filmmakers claimed that he had finished his work on the film, others say he was replaced by a stunt double and many scenes were hastily rewritten not to include him. The movie flopped, but Candy's legacy as a comedy great remains secure.

Oliver Reed- "Gladiator"(2000)

The burly English actor was just as famous for his heavy drinking as he was for his tough guy roles in the '60s and '70s in films like "The Trap", 'Oliver!", and "The Three Musketeers"(he scarred his face in a 1963 bar brawl). He died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 61 on May 2, 1999 while working on Ridley Scott's historical epic as the old, gruff gladiator trainer Proximo who gives Russell Crowe's Maximus a chance at freedom. Some of his scenes had to be completed using CGI techniques at an estimated cost of $3.2 million and in one instance, a mannequin. It was worth the trouble. The film was a major box office hit and the winner of the Academy Awards for Best Picture and Actor(Crowe).

Gloria Fisher- "The Matrix Reloaded/The Matrix Revolutions"(2003)

The African-American stage actress became best known as the mysterious and powerful Oracle who helps Neo(Keanu Reeves) discover that he is 'The One' in the 1999 sci-fi classic "The Matrix". The two sequels were filmed back to back in 2001-02 and Foster was tapped to reprise her role but sadly she never made it to the third film. She passed away from diabetes at the age of 67 and was replaced by Mary Alice who coincidentally had worked with Foster in the theater in 1995. The Oracle is a computer program which explained the change in appearance and the increasingly muddled mythology of the series made it a relatively easy transition for the Wachowski brothers.

Heath Ledger- "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus"(2009)
The daring Australian actor who received widespread acclaim for his performances in "Brokeback Mountain" and "The Dark Knight"(and a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the latter) was exhaustively in the mist of shooting Terry Gilliam's bizarre fantasy in London when he decided to take a few much needed days off in New York. On January 22, 2008, he was found unconcious and unresponsive by his housekeeper in a rented Manhattan loft and was soon pronounced dead from an apparent abuse of multiple prescription medications. Gilliam temporarily suspended production of the film but ultimately decided that Heath's final performance needed to be preserved and enlisted Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell to play the magical re-incarnations of his character Tony. All three actors donated their salaries to Ledger's daughter Matilda. How well the movie turned out is debatable, but there's no question that the film world was robbed of a great talent.

The Year in Review- 1991

   It was the year moviegoers met the most unnerving killer since Norman Bates. Schwarzenegger peaked in the mother of all sequels, and he wasn't the only action hero that summer- some dude named Keanu surfed into the hearts of adrenaline junkies everywhere. Billy Crystal brought the laughs as cinema's unlikeliest cowboy, Oliver Stone searched for the truth, and we found out what really goes on in the hood. Here are the ten best films in order for 1991.

1. "The Silence of the Lambs"(1991)

This seminal serial killer thriller gave us TWO of the most iconic movie monsters in history and became one of only a few films ever to sweep the Academy Awards. Not bad for a movie that Gene Hackman and Michelle Pfeiffer both turned down. As great as they are, it's hard to imagine the same chemistry and tense exchanges coming from any two actors other than Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. The 52 year old, not-yet super-famous Welshman is positively chilling as the brilliant imprisoned madman that forces Foster's young FBI agent to confront all her demons during her search for the gruesome Buffalo Bill(Ted Levine). Hopkins only needed twenty minutes to make Lecter a legend, and Jodie displays vulnerability and strength as Clarice Starling. Director Jonathan Demme stunned audiences with a depiction of real horror after a decade of interminable slasher flicks. This film is wholly deserving of it's status as a modern masterpiece.

 

2. "Terminator 2: Judgment Day"(1991)
The biggest moneymaker of the year and the greatest sequel of all time(yeah, I said it) is a rip-roaring juggernaut that upped the ante and surpassed the original in nearly every respect. This was the next evolution of the summer blockbuster after 1989's "Batman" with James Cameron's genius on full display and groundbreaking CGI techniques forcing every other filmmaker to play catch-up( and he did it again 18 years later with "Avatar"). Is there a cooler sight in movies than a shotgun-wielding, leather-clad Arnie careening around on that Harley? How about that mini-gun he uses on those cops gathered outside the Cyberdyne building? Robert Patrick's steely-eyed, unstoppable T-1000 is another awesome creation, and I haven't even mentioned the ripped and ready Linda Hamilton turning Sarah Connor into a badass icon in her own right. To many fans, the "Terminator" saga stopped right here.

"I'm telling you, it could work. The whole world is engulfed in water..."

3."JFK"(1991)
Oliver Stone capped off an incredible five year run that included "Platoon", "Wall Street", and "Born on the Fourth of July" with this complex and riveting documentary-style thriller that follows New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison(Kevin Costner) as he embarks on an exhaustive investigation into the 1963 JFK assassination. This film immediately became embroiled in controversy for it's unsubtle assertions that Lee Harvey Oswald(nicely played by Gary Oldman) was just a pawn in a massive conspiracy. Whichever side of that endless debate you fall on, there's no question that this is virtuoso filmmaking that combines meticulously researched facts with vivid dramatizations. There are no easy answers, but Stone wasn't afraid to ask the questions that had been gnawing on the nation's collective psyche for nearly three decades. The stellar star-studded supporting cast includes Tommy Lee Jones, Sissy Spacek, Kevin Bacon, Joe Pesci, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, John Candy, and Donald Sutherland.

4. "Thelma & Louise"(1991)
Ridley Scott's feminist road movie should never be mistaken for a 'chick flick'. It's more fun than most buddy action outings- the only difference is that the buddies are a pair of earthy, middle-aged women. Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis are both terrific as a world-weary waitress and a dim housewife rollicking across the Southwest in a '66 Thunderbird. All they wanted was a weekend getaway from the drudgery and lousy men in their lives, but they become outlaw heroines after killing a would-be rapist. Brad Pitt landed his breakout role as a thieving hitchhiker, and I don't mean to spoil the ending for the two or three people reading this that still haven't seen it, but I'd drive off a cliff with these broads anytime.

5. "Beauty and the Beast"(1991)
The first animated movie EVER to be nominated for Best Picture had to be featured prominently on this list. After a long dry spell in the '70s and '80s, the Mouse House experienced a full blown renaissance starting with 1989's "The Little Mermaid". A classic, time-honored story(with a message), lush visuals, memorable songs and colorful characters comprised the winning formula that no gender or age group could resist, and the folks at Disney would astonishingly wield their magic for the next decade-plus with stunning precision and regularity.

6. "City Slickers"(1991)
A depressed yuppie(Billy Crystal) and his two best friends(Daniel Stern, Bruno Kirby) confronts various forms of mid-life crisis on a cattle drive across New Mexico in this immensely enjoyable and resonant comedy hit. Much of the humor springs from long stretches of smart dialogue with Crystal at his funniest and most appealing. Veteran tough guy actor Jack Palance got acquainted with a new generation and picked up the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in the process as the crusty cowboy from a bygone era who teaches Billy the virtues of a simpler life. Not to be confused with the contrived 1994 sequel.

7. "Cape Fear"(1991)
The great Martin Scorsese was persuaded by his 7x star Robert De Niro to follow-up their instant classic "Goodfellas", with this intense remake of the 1962 noir that featured Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum(both have clever cameos). De Niro is electrifying as Max Cady, a tattooed and terrifying rapist/ ex-con, in a performance that lingers in the memory right next to Hannibal Lecter in the '90s supervillian hall of fame. Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, and Juliette Lewis are a dysfunctional North Carolina family whose daily dynamic adds depth and interest to what would have been standard, straightforward stalker fare in the hands of any other filmmaker. Elmer Bernstein's edgy score echoes Bernard Herrmann, helping turn "Cape Fear" into a classy, first-rate thriller.

8. "Point Break"(1991) 
Before Keanu Reeves became a bona fide action superstar in "Speed" and "The Matrix" trilogy, he got his feet wet in the role of Johnny Utah, the ex-college football star turned F-B-I AGENT(say it loud)! However, Patrick Swayze and his total conviction as the philosophical, bank-robbing surfer-guru Bodhi, is the main reason "PB" became a permanent fixture on cable for a good ten years. That doesn't happen unless there's A LOT of people watching. "Terminator 2" may have been the must-see summer action movie event of 1991, but director Kathryn Bigelow's ludicrously-entertaining effort has garnered an unexpected legacy over the years. No "Point Break", no "Fast and the Furious", got it?

9. "Bugsy"(1991)
We all love mobsters. No honest profession has provided more quality cinema or bolstered as many careers as these well-dressed psychopaths. Warren Beatty is a forgotten legend in Hollywood, and his forceful, charismatic turn as infamous, celebrity gangster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel represents his last stand as a top tier leading man. On the flip side, his future real-life wife Annette Bening left little doubt that she was here to stay as Bugsy's beau, the tough-talking wannabe starlet Virginia Hill. "Rain Man" director Barry Levinson wisely sidesteps most mob movie clichés in his epic telling of Siegel's takeover of the bourgeoning Las Vegas landscape in 1947, while Ben Kingsley and Harvey Keitel both earned Supporting Actor nods as his shadowy cohorts Meyer Lansky and Mickey Cohen.

10(tie). "Boyz 'N The Hood"(1991)
At 23 years of age, John Singleton became the youngest director in history to be nominated for an Academy Award(and the first African-American to do so) for his stark, realistic account of life in South Central, Los Angeles, that he began writing as an ambitious film student. This eye-opening debut paved the way for many other similarly themed films in the early '90s, that further explored the urban black experience. The impressive cast includes Laurence Fishburne, Cuba Gooding Jr., Angela Bassett, and rapper Ice Cube in career-making breakout roles. The multi-talented Singleton died too young(April 2019), and only lived up to the sizzling promise of "Boyz" in one other film, 2001's "Baby Boy".

10(tie). "Frankie & Johnny"(1991)
"Pretty Woman" director Garry Marshall staged a low-key "Scarface" reunion of Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer(now on roughly equal footing in the Hollywood hierarchy), which may be the most underrated film of 1991. Some critics couldn't get past the casting of two world-famous superstars as a pair of lonely, downtrodden people, in a NYC diner-set adaptation of Terrence McNally's off-Broadway play. This sensitive, moving love story is a must see for melancholy romantics. It's a welcome change of pace from crime epics for a loose, likeable Pacino, and a deglamorized Pfeiffer is phenomenal.

Honorable Mentions- "White Fang"(1991) Ethan Hawke and an Alaskan wolf dog. "Not Without My Daughter"(1991) Sally Field is stuck in Iran. "L.A. Story"(1991) Steve Martin's quirky love letter to the City of Angels. "Sleeping with the Enemy"(1991) Julia Roberts rules in this dramatic thriller. "Guilty by Suspicion"(1991) Robert De Niro deals with the Hollywood blacklist of the early 1950s. "The Hard Way"(1991) Michael J. Fox and James Woods in John Badham's energetic action comedy. "New Jack City"(1991) Wesley Snipes and Chris Rock light up this drug dealer drama. "Defending Your Life"(1991) Albert Brooks in the afterlife. "The Doors"(1991) Jim Morrison is depicted by Oliver Stone and Val Kilmer. "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze"(1991) The TMNT craze continues. "Toy Soldiers"(1991) Sean Astin stars in this 'teens vs. terrorists' flick. "Switch"(1991) Ellen Barkin elevates this Blake Edwards sex comedy.

"Soapdish"(1991) Sally Field leads this lively soap opera spoof. "One Good Cop"(1991) Michael Keaton cares for his dead partner's three daughters. "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead"(1991) Christina Applegate cares for her unruly siblings. "Only the Lonely"(1991) Chris Columbus directs John Candy in this "Marty" update. "Jungle Fever"(1991) Spike Lee's ensemble look at race relations. "What About Bob?"(1991) Bill Murray makes Richard Dreyfuss mad. "Backdraft"(1991) Kurt Russell fights fires. "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves"(1991) The Kevin Costner version of the storied swashbuckler. "The Rocketeer"(1991) Kids should like this live-action Disney adventure. "Doc Hollywood"(1991) Michael J. Fox is a hotshot surgeon. "The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear"(1991) More deadpan laughs with Lt. Frank Drebin. "Dutch"(1991) Ed O'Neill hits the road for John Hughes. "The Doctor"(1991) is in, and he's played by William Hurt. "Dying Young"(1991) Julia Roberts is a nurse in love with a leukemia patient. "Slacker"(1991) Writer-director Richard Linklater turns $23,000 into $1.2 million. "Regarding Henry"(1991) Harrison Ford gets serious with Mike Nichols. "Hot Shots!"(1991) This "Top Gun" spoof was a top grosser. "Life Stinks"(1991) Mel Brooks said it best.

"Dead Again"(1991) Mystery thriller with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. "Class Action"(1991) Gene Hackman headlines this courtroom drama. "The Fisher King"(1991) Jeff Bridges and Robin Williams are an unlikely pair in Terry Gilliam's offbeat tale. "Rambling Rose"(1991) Laura Dern is great in this Depression-set drama. "Little Man Tate"(1991) Jodie Foster(who also directed) as the mother of a child prodigy. "Other People's Money"(1991) Danny DeVito's favorite thing. "Hearts of Darkness"(1991) Frances and Eleanor Coppola recall the making of "Apocalypse "Now". "Billy Bathgate"(1991) Dustin Hoffman as 1930s gangster Dutch Schultz. "Curly Sue"(1991) John Hughes hates directing. "The Addams Family"(1991) The gothic TV clan hits the big screen. "My Girl"(1991) Anna Chlumsky and Macauley Culkin in a coming-of-age charmer. "Star Trek IV: The Undiscovered Country"(1991) The final voyage for the original Enterprise crew. "Hook"(1991) Robin Williams plays the adult Peter Pan for Steven Spielberg. "Rush"(1991) Jason Patric is a narc and Jennifer Jason Leigh is his partner/love interest. "Grand Canyon"(1991) Lawrence Kasdans's L.A. ensemble has a large cast. "Shadows and Fog"(1991) So does Woody Allen's bizarre, black-and-white curiosity. "Father of the Bride"(1991) Steve Martin stars in Nancy Meyers' beloved remake. "The Prince of Tides"(1991) Barbra Streisand analyzes Nick Nolte. "Fried Green Tomatoes"(1991) Jessica Tandy tells Kathy Bates about the 1930s.

The Year in Review- 1992

   It was the year that Clint Eastwood got back on the horse and rode all the way to Oscar glory. Quentin Tarantino came in the back door, Penny Marshall hit a home run, and Michelle Pfeiffer helped me through puberty. Joe Pesci took us to court, Tom Cruise wanted the truth, and Sharon Stone showed us her...acting talent. Here are the ten best films in order for 1992.

1. "Unforgiven"(1992)
This dark, deglamorised Western was a career-saver for Clint Eastwood(he was coming off a string of flops in the late '80s and early '90s) and a glorious return to the genre that made his name nearly three decades earlier. It also came to represent a fond farewell of sorts- Clint never made another Western despite many requests because he just knew he couldn't do it any better. With the ever-reliable Morgan Freeman in tow, Eastwood's introspective gunslinger William Munny heads to the town of Big Whiskey to collect a bounty and their arrival isn't taken too kindly by sadistic, tough-as-nails sheriff Little Bill Daggett, played by Gene Hackman in a masterful turn that earned him the Best Supporting Actor Oscar. The Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director(Eastwood) were equally well deserved, but rather than representing his peak behind the camera, this rejuvenated legend was just getting started.

2. "Reservoir Dogs"
Former video store clerk Quentin Tarantino's meteoric rise as cinema's undisputed king of cool started the moment his charismatic black-suited crooks strolled out of a diner in slow motion to the sounds of George Baker Selection's 'Little Green Bag'. A watershed moment in retrospect that signaled a seismic shift was about to take place. I don't think it's hyperbole to call QT's assault on stale Hollywood conventions the most significant change in movies since that first attack on the Death Star. "Dogs" is raw, realistic, low budget, and uncomfortably violent- a more confidant directorial debut you will not find. The indie film movement was officially underway.

3. "A League of Their Own"(1992)
Director Penny Marshall's funny and affectionate tribute to the women's professional baseball league during World War II quickly earned it's place among the pantheon of best loved sports movies. Geena Davis is the MVP of this female ensemble, but Tom Hanks threatens to steal the show at every turn as the drunken ex-player turned very reluctant coach. 'The nicest guy in Hollywood' had to get uncharacteristically riled up to get the ball rolling on his eventual takeover of Tinsel-town and it should also be noted that Madonna, Rosie O'Donnell and Lori Petty were never better in a film(a backhanded compliment, I know).

4. "Batman Returns"(1992)
Tim Burton let his twisted imagination run wild in this arguably superior sequel to his 1989 game-changer that set the template for all modern superhero movies. I know this is a controversial statement in a post-Nolan world, but you won't find more depth or psychological complexity in any other film in this genre. Michael Keaton is back in black, but there was no way he wasn't getting upstaged by the villainous double act- Danny Devito is terrific as the Penguin, a deranged freak responsible for more than a few nightmares, and Michelle Pfeiffer's conflicted Catwoman is a sensual eruption. Every shiny appearance she makes in that skintight vinyl is a moment to treasure. With Christopher Walken adding to the overall weirdness and Danny Elfman's epic omnipresent score driving the action, "Returns" was the year's best and most original blockbuster.

5. "Aladdin"(1992)
The year's biggest box office hit continued Disney's stunning resurgence as an animated powerhouse. Robin Williams' boisterous, blue Genie is the reason A-list stars gravitated toward cartoon characters, bringing pop culture references to the previously impenetrable fairy tale world of the Mouse House, ultimately paving the way for the hipness found in everything from "Toy Story" to "Shrek". Williams' manic vocals coupled with Alan Menken's Oscar-winning music propelled this magic carpet ride, that delighted children and adults alike throughout the '92 holiday season and way beyond.

6. "A Few Good Men"(1992)
Director Rob Reiner's slick military courtroom drama boasts a sharp script from Aaron Sorkin and one of the most scintillating closing scenes of the entire decade. Just try changing the channel during the epic exchange between Tom Cruise's eager Navy lawyer Daniel Kafee and Jack Nicholson's steely, no-nonsense Col. Nathan Jessup. Here's the truth, I hope you can handle it- "Men" is one of the top-ten most most rewatched '90s movies during it's ubiquitous TNT/TBS loop. I ordered the "Code Red" on more than a few lazy Sundays with the all-star supporting cast that includes Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon, Kevin Pollack, Kiefer Sutherland, and J.T. Walsh. I have no regrets.

Franchise Review- Indiana Jones

   Legend has it that the two titans who gave birth to the 'summer blockbuster' in the mid-to-late '70s, Steven Spielberg("Jaws", "Close Encounters of the Third Kind") and George Lucas("Star Wars") were hanging out on a beach in Hawaii when Spielberg expressed his desire to direct a Bond movie. "I've got something better than Bond", was the alleged response of his bearded best friend(doesn't that story make you feel slightly bad about your own life?). Lucas handed him his 1973 rough draft for 'The Adventures of Indiana Smith', and that was the conception of one of cinema's preeminent heroes.

   After a name change and close call with Tom Selleck, the dynamic duo turned to none other than Han Solo himself to play the man in the hat and Harrison Ford began his decade-long reign as Hollywood's biggest matinee idol. Whether it was booby trapped caves, traitorous sidekicks, giant boulders, Nazis, snakes, large insects, a Thuggee cult, fire, rats, more Nazis, a nucleur blast, old age, or a Soviet army, there was simply nothing the durable Dr. Jones couldn't handle. Let's look back at the most lucrative franchise of the 1980s.

"Raiders of the Lost Ark"(1981)
Spielberg was looking to erase the memory of a rare failure(1979's "1941") by creating the ultimate escapist film, a throwback to the adventure serials of the 1930s with contemporary filmmaking technology/techniques. He far exceeded his goals. Whether or not it's the greatest action movie of all time is open for debate, but it's definitely the most important as most of what passed for action before 1981 just wouldn't cut it anymore. The bar had been raised significantly. Has any movie ever had a better first ten minutes? Harrison Ford IS Indiana Jones, a rugged archaeologist-adventurer and simply the coolest hero not named James Bond ever committed to celluloid. He battles Nazis on a globetrotting mission to retrieve a lost ark supposedly containing remnants of The Ten Commandments.
 
   Karen Allen is spunky and tough as his old flame Marion Ravenwood(more on her later) and there are at least half a dozen classic scenes. Modern cinema just doesn't come any more iconic than this. It was easily the top grossing film of the year and one of the defining works of an era with no shortage of crowd-pleasing entertainment and audiences worldwide clamored for an encore.

"Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom"(1984)
This prequel set in 1935 has our intrepid hero on a dangerous quest to find three sacred stones and rescue enslaved children from a bloodthirsty cult in India. Most fans agree that future Mrs. Spielberg Kate Capshaw is a weak link as Shanghai nightclub singer turned shrieking damsel in distress Willie Scott and eleven year old Jonathan Ke Quan was a tad irritating as Chinese orphan Short-Round. In the plus column though, the last half hour contains some of the best action in the entire series- the runaway mine car chase and the rope bridge sequence are the dazzling highlights.

   Spielberg wasn't comfortable with some of the darker aspects of the story that Lucas insisted upon(black magic and human sacrifice was apparently too much for the "E.T" director) and has stated numerous times that this is his least favorite Indy adventure. It was primarily responsible for the creation of the PG-13 rating, but recent events have cast this film in a much more favorable light(more on this later) and Spielberg had no reason to be apologetic for an expertly crafted thrill ride that was the second biggest hit of the summer(behind "Ghostbusters"). Nevertheless Steven told George that he wasn't moving ahead with a third film until he felt every element was 100% right which resulted in a five year layoff for Indy. It was worth the wait.

"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"(1989)
The search for the ultimate artifact, the Holy Grail propels what should have been the concluding chapter of the wildly successful adventure series(more on that later) and I don't think too many people will accuse me of going out on a limb when I say that it's every bit as good as the first. That's an even more impressive feat in the wake of newer franchises like "The Matrix", "Spiderman", and "Pirates of the Caribbean", which all struggled to maintain interest by the third installment. The late River Phoenix provided the basis for "The Young Indiana Jones" TV show of the early '90s in a memorable flashback intro as a teenage Indy, Harrison Ford is once again terrific in the role he was born to play, and the casting of Sean Connery as Indy's dad was truly inspired.

   From the moment the original 007 enters the picture to address his heroic son as 'Junior', this film is gold. We get an action sequence for every mode of transportation, a set-piece involving a tank that rivals the truck chase in "Raiders", and a finale that brings the saga full circle. Indy rode off into the sunset. It was the second biggest hit of the year behind Tim Burton's "Batman". There aren't many things in this life that are perfect, but this series as a whole came awfully close. It stayed that way for 19 years.

"Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"(2008)
I'd like to think that Spielberg, Lucas, and Ford had their hearts in the right place when they reunited for this ridiculously belated fourth outing. I mean, these guys are rich enough, right? They did it for us. The fans. Well, I can safely say that I speak for the vast majority of the population when I say 'thanks for nothing'. My expectations were in check. After nearly two decades, there was no way this movie was going to be on the same level as "Raiders" and "Last Crusade", and I would have had no complaints if it had at least measured up to "Temple of Doom". Even THAT was too much to ask. The opening scene of the original was history in the making. The opening of this film added the phrase 'Nuke the Fridge' to the public lexicon, a rather dubious legacy in comparison. Sure, it made a lot of money but you'd have to be wearing thick rose-colored nostalgia glasses to call "Crystal Skull" an artistic success. There's bad CGI all over the place, Ford is a senior citizen, Karen Allen hasn't acted in fifteen years, the main villain is a female(?) and Shia LaBeouf is playing a character named Mutt Williams. He's Indy's long lost son. And what are Crystal Skulls exactly? Does anybody know or care?

   There's no reason to go any further. This was simply a heartbreaker that left older fans like myself shaking our heads in disbelief and a younger generation glad they grew up in the age of "Transformers". To his credit, LaBeouf  hit the nail on the head with his honest assessment of the movie that should have NEVER been made- "He's(Spielberg) done so much great work. But when you drop the ball, you drop the ball".

Franchise Review- Batman 1989-1997

   After recapping Chris Nolan's wildly successful trilogy, I'd be remiss if I didn't go back and discuss the incredible highs and painful lows that was the first set of Bat flicks. When most people thought of the Caped Crusader before 1989, the image of Adam West running around in blue tights was the first thing that sprung to mind. Anybody that doesn't think Tim Burton and Michael Keaton left an indelible mark on the DC legend(as well as the comic book film genre as a whole) is in desperate need of a history lesson. Those that don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it and Nolan had a significant advantage in knowing what NOT to do.

   Although Superman first took flight in 1978, THIS was the blueprint for the modern superhero movie. When you consider how cluttered the genre has become, "Batman" has to be considered one of the most influential films of the last quarter century. From Bat-mania to Batgirl, let's talk about the biggest franchise of the '90s.

"Batman"(1989)
After quirky hits like "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" and "Beetlejuice" put him on the map, then-28 year old director Tim Burton established himself as a major force in Hollywood with his third feature, the long-gestating big screen debut of the Caped Crusader(not counting the '66 Adam West film). The casting of comedic actor Michael Keaton in the title role initially caused an uproar among fans. The complaints stopped once they saw his quietly intense portrayal that immediately brought the beloved character back to his roots as a stoic vigilante stalking criminals on the city streets. It's common knowledge however, that Jack Nicholson stole the show as the maniacal, eternally grinning Joker who unleashes a massive reign of terror on all of Gotham City. When the three-time Oscar winner is doing his psycho shtick in white face paint and red lipstick, it's best to just stand off to the side. Caught in the middle of the collision is photographer Vicki Vale-she may be a damsel in distress, but Kim Basinger was unquestionably one of the era's most luscious leading ladies.

   Burton's gothic sensibilities and striking originality made him the perfect fit for the material and although the action comes in small doses, it's all meaningful and impactful. It's hard to accurately describe the hysteria that this film created to somebody that wasn't there. It was simply the biggest motion picture event since "Star Wars" and a sequel was every bit as inevitable as death and taxes.

 

"Batman Returns"(1992)
After cranking out "Edward Scissorhands" in the interim, Burton was labeled a genius and given full creative control over this second outing(goodbye Prince, hello missile-toting penguin army!). The result was quite possibly the most wonderfully warped summer blockbuster ever, with every frame brimming with the director's trademark inventiveness. Michael Keaton was back in black, but it's the villainous double act that takes center stage. Danny DeVito was terrific as the Penguin, a hideously deformed freak with a serious grudge against the citizens of Gotham. Michelle Pfeiffer was sensational as Catwoman, a ferociously feline force of nature that quickly develops a love/hate relationship with Batman.

   With Christopher Walken thrown in for good measure and Danny Elfman's epic omnipresent score, Burton fashioned a visually stunning and arguably superior sequel that nevertheless polarized viewers. The gruesomeness of the Penguin and Catwoman's S&M undertones sparked a backlash from parents that felt the film was not appropriate for their small children that ALL wanted to see it. Burton departed the franchise in 1993 after the studio insisted on a lighter, more kid-friendly third film, and Keaton soon followed. 'Burton went too dark' was the general consensus in '92. We now know that's the only way to do Batman, but Warner Bros had to learn it the hard way.

"Batman Forever"(1995)
Enter Joel Schumacher to make Batman 'fun' again. One ridiculous line lets us know right away that we're witnessing a very different interpretation of Gotham City("I'll get drive-thru"), not to mention the new sexy nippled Batsuit. I'm not even comfortable calling this part of the same series, because Michael Gough's Alfred and Pat Hingle's Gordon are the only links to Burton's films. Now they would just call it a reboot, but I don't think that word existed in 1995. To put it gently, "Forever" is a mixed bag. Val Kilmer finds some angst and torment, and is effective enough as Keaton's replacement in the cape and cowl. With his boundless energy and over-the-top persona, Jim Carrey seemed ideally suited to play the Riddler and managed a few creepy moments despite the joke-laden screenplay. But it's obvious that his partner in crime Tommy Lee Jones never picked up a comic book in his life, as he turns Harvey 'Two Face' Dent into a manic clown.

   Nicole Kidman was at the peak of her hotness as a criminal psychologist fixated on the Caped Crusader and Chris O' Donnell made a respectable Robin/Dick Grayson. It's just impossible to shake the knowledge that it all could have been better. MUCH better. There's a big misconception that this film was a failure. It actually made more money than "Returns" and people seemed happy with it at the time. The good feelings wouldn't last.

"Batman & Robin"(1997)
Why are we still talking about this disaster fifteen years later? Is it really any worse than "Daredevil","Spider-Man 3", "Fantastic Four" or "Green Lantern"? The answer is yes, it is. Schumacher continues his conversion of Gotham from a modest, gloomy metropolis to a preposterously neon, hellish version of the future straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. It's George Clooney in the cockpit of the Batmobile this time around(Kilmer was a prick) and he makes no effort to disguise his voice while in costume, while Arnold Schwarzenegger was strapped into a clunky, glowing monstrosity as Mr. Freeze and handed a list of winter-related puns instead of a script. Uma Thurman stops by in a series of elaborate Halloween costumes to deliver an extraordinarily campy portrayal of Poison Ivy.

   By the time the chick from "Clueless" suits up as Batgirl, it hardly matters. If you can make it to the finale to see the trio pictured above try to prevent Arnie from freezing the city, you're a stronger person than I am. After the obligatory huge opening weekend, deadly word-of-mouth put the film on ice and drove any more potential viewers into "Men in Black", which was playing down the hall. When it was all said and done, "B&R" did more damage to the Bat than his extensive rogues gallery could ever dream of.