The University of Southern California’s (USC) School of Cinematic Arts (Sca) announced the creation of the John Singleton Lounge during a special screening of the series finale of FX’s Snowfall — Singleton’s final work — on the campus Thursday night. Set for location outside of the dean’s office suites, the seating area will be decorated with posters showcasing the work of the late filmmaker and USC alum who also co-founded the school’s African American Cinema Society while he was a student there.
“I want to thank John for being my son, and I want to thank John for listening to me and allowing me to guide his life,” said Singleton’s mother, Sheila Ward-Johnson, in opening remarks during the event, which was one of a series of screenings Sca has held throughout the 2022-2023 academic year as part of a yearlong celebration honoring the Academy Award-nominated director.
“I want to thank John for being my son, and I want to thank John for listening to me and allowing me to guide his life,” said Singleton’s mother, Sheila Ward-Johnson, in opening remarks during the event, which was one of a series of screenings Sca has held throughout the 2022-2023 academic year as part of a yearlong celebration honoring the Academy Award-nominated director.
- 4/21/2023
- by Brande Victorian
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It is now 2012 and Natural Born Killers director Oliver Stone is still trying to re-find his footing. Savages is the latest brutally graphic film from a director that used to be known for stirring up controversy at the cinemas. His latest outing is mostly hollow shock-factor that rides on its gracious violence and over-use of sex and swearing to attempt to offset the viewer and make it feel as if they’re watching something new and original. Savages is far from either of those descriptors and it’s instead another drug-induced and blood-soaked popcorn affair that rides off of the strength of Benicio Del Toro.
Chon (Taylor Kitsch) and Ben (Aaron Johnson) are two smart men living in California; the pot central of the United States. Their combined strengths come from Chon’s literal physicality and Ben’s smarts, which when combined equals a perfect partnership when it comes to selling drugs to the masses.
Chon (Taylor Kitsch) and Ben (Aaron Johnson) are two smart men living in California; the pot central of the United States. Their combined strengths come from Chon’s literal physicality and Ben’s smarts, which when combined equals a perfect partnership when it comes to selling drugs to the masses.
- 11/16/2012
- by Jeremy Lebens
- We Got This Covered
Universal Studios have announced Oliver Stone’s latest ultra-violent crime drama Savages for Blu-Ray, starring Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, Benicio Del Toro and John Travolta.
Director Oliver Stone has had a hit-or-miss career. For every Natural Born Killers or Wall Street, he also makes World Trade Center or Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
Savages is his attempt to rekindle the flames from his Natural Born Killer days and in his attempt he has managed to come off as a cheap Tony Scott knockoff. There’s lots of grisly violence and quick jump-cuts, but no reason for doing so. His take on the drug war isn’t a horrible one, but far from being cinematic greatness that we used to expect from a filmmaker of Stone’s caliber.
Our very own Kristal Cooper summed it up well in her review of the film:
A preposterously overblown take on the drug trade,...
Director Oliver Stone has had a hit-or-miss career. For every Natural Born Killers or Wall Street, he also makes World Trade Center or Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.
Savages is his attempt to rekindle the flames from his Natural Born Killer days and in his attempt he has managed to come off as a cheap Tony Scott knockoff. There’s lots of grisly violence and quick jump-cuts, but no reason for doing so. His take on the drug war isn’t a horrible one, but far from being cinematic greatness that we used to expect from a filmmaker of Stone’s caliber.
Our very own Kristal Cooper summed it up well in her review of the film:
A preposterously overblown take on the drug trade,...
- 9/2/2012
- by Jeremy Lebens
- We Got This Covered
A film that Michael & I both enjoyed watching in the theater earlier this year was Oliver Stone’s Savages. Even if we thought that some of the film echoed some of the filmmaking style of the late Tony Scott, Savages is anchored by some great performances and its persistence to not shy away from some of the extreme violence. Universal is looking to release an Unrated version of the film which makes me wonder what the hell was cut out. Read below for the press release.
From the Press Release
Acclaimed director Oliver Stone (Born on the Fourth of July, Platoon, Wall Street) plunges deep into the brutally violent world of Mexican drug cartels in the crime thriller Savages, coming to Blu-ray ™ Combo Pack, DVD, and On Demand on October 23, 2012, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Also available through Digital Download.
Based on Don Winslow’s audacious 2010 novel, Savages is an...
From the Press Release
Acclaimed director Oliver Stone (Born on the Fourth of July, Platoon, Wall Street) plunges deep into the brutally violent world of Mexican drug cartels in the crime thriller Savages, coming to Blu-ray ™ Combo Pack, DVD, and On Demand on October 23, 2012, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Also available through Digital Download.
Based on Don Winslow’s audacious 2010 novel, Savages is an...
- 8/23/2012
- by Andy Triefenbach
- Destroy the Brain
Blu-ray & DVD Release Date: Oct. 23, 2012
Price: DVD $29.98, Blu-ray $34.98
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Filmmaker Oliver Stone (Platoon) takes on drug cartels in Savages.
Based on the novel by Don Winslow, the crime film follows two budding pot entrepreneurs, Ben (Aaron Johnson, Albert Nobbs) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch, John Carter) and their shared girlfriend Ophelia (Blake Lively, Green Lantern). Ben’s all peace and love, Chon’s a former Navy Seal and Ophelia’s happy with a credit card and a mall.
All’s good in marijuana-growing paradise until the Mexican Baja Cartel, headed by Salma Hayek (Frida), decides it wants in on Ben and Chon’s business. When Ben and Chon turn down the Cartel and Hayek responds by sending henchman Benicio Del Toro to kidnap Ophelia, the peaceful pot entrepreneurs must delve into violence to make everything right.
Shea Whigham (Take Shelter), Emile Hirsch (Killer Joe) and John Travolta...
Price: DVD $29.98, Blu-ray $34.98
Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Filmmaker Oliver Stone (Platoon) takes on drug cartels in Savages.
Based on the novel by Don Winslow, the crime film follows two budding pot entrepreneurs, Ben (Aaron Johnson, Albert Nobbs) and Chon (Taylor Kitsch, John Carter) and their shared girlfriend Ophelia (Blake Lively, Green Lantern). Ben’s all peace and love, Chon’s a former Navy Seal and Ophelia’s happy with a credit card and a mall.
All’s good in marijuana-growing paradise until the Mexican Baja Cartel, headed by Salma Hayek (Frida), decides it wants in on Ben and Chon’s business. When Ben and Chon turn down the Cartel and Hayek responds by sending henchman Benicio Del Toro to kidnap Ophelia, the peaceful pot entrepreneurs must delve into violence to make everything right.
Shea Whigham (Take Shelter), Emile Hirsch (Killer Joe) and John Travolta...
- 8/21/2012
- by Sam
- Disc Dish
It turns out that if you want something that looks exactly like marijuana for your movie, Tomas Voth is a great resource to have. In this behind-the-scenes look at Savages, director Oliver Stone praises Voth – the production designer – for getting his hands dirty the synthetic way. Making fake marijuana is crucial because using real weed in movies is a federal no-no, but making it look real is a tough job. Watch as Stone explains how they grew fake pot for the flick: [Vice]...
- 7/9/2012
- by Cole Abaius
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
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