Screen Rant » red tails

Weekend Box Office Wrap Up: February 5th, 2012

Niall Browne — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:16:19 +0000

The end of 2011 saw the box office in the doldrums, but things are now looking up, as this week saw both Chronicle and The Woman In Black open to more than $20 million each – much more than analysts predicted.

Science Fiction effort Chronicle was the champion, grossing an estimated $22 million. The low budget superhero film (read our review) has a reported production budget of just $12 million, meaning that it’ll be very profitable for 20th Century Fox.

Daniel Radcliffe’s attempt to have a movie career after the Harry Potter franchise got off to a good start, with The Woman In Black grossing an estimated $21 million. The Hammer Horror (read our review), is set to have the biggest opening ...

Click to continue reading Weekend Box Office Wrap Up: February 5th, 2012

Weekend Box Office Wrap Up: January 29, 2012

Niall Browne — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:08:47 +0000

Liam Neeson’s The Grey topped the box office over the weekend, scoring an estimated $20 million. The Joe Carnahan man versus nature film has had solid reviews (read ours) and it again shows that Neeson is the go to guy for middle-age action.

The down side is that The Grey’s debut was less than the Irishman’s last action effort Unknown, which opened to $21.8 million, on its way to a final haul of $63 million. It was also less than Neeson and Carnahan’s The A-Team which started with $25 million and closed with $77 million in the summer of 2010. This R-rated flick still has potential and it could outgross the disappointing Unknown – if it holds.

Neeson’s career resurgence as an action man started in 2009 when Taken, surpassed ...

Click to continue reading Weekend Box Office Wrap Up: January 29, 2012

‘Red Tails’ Review

Ben Kendrick — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:53:56 +0000

Screen Rant’s Ben Kendrick reviews Red Tails

Considering the number of times that George Lucas has produced an Indiana Jones or Star Wars film over the past 35 years, it might come as a surprise when some moviegoers discover that his production company, Lucasfilm, actually makes movies that don’t include Henry Jones, Jr. or a member of the Skywalker family. Even more surprising might be the fact that Lucasfilm’s latest project, Red Tails - a big budget chronicle of the Tuskegee Airmen – has actually been in the works for nearly 25 years.

So, after a quarter of a century, has Lucas (and freshman feature-film director Anthony Hemingway) put together a solid movie that entertains while also honoring the struggles and sacrifices of the African American World War II fighter ...

Click to continue reading ‘Red Tails’ Review

George Lucas Done With Blockbuster Filmmaking? Good News or Bad?

Kofi Outlaw — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:16:19 +0000

Like many subjects of discussion and/or debate these days, popular opinion on the subject of George Lucas is staunchly divided. On the one side, there are those who feel that the Star Wars creator jumped the shark (for lack of a better term) over a decade ago, with the release of his oft-criticized Star Wars prequels. On the other hand, are those who feel that Lucas remains a filmmaking visionary who has captured the imaginations of a generation – albeit, a generation that came of age under the impression that computers are largely responsible for the fantastical worlds, characters and action sequences that we see in movies.

But love or hate who he’s become in the last few decades, it’s doubtful that anyone ever thought they would see the day when George Lucas ...

Click to continue reading George Lucas Done With Blockbuster Filmmaking? Good News or Bad?

Seven Minutes of ‘Red Tails’ Footage; George Lucas Talks Black Cinema

Kofi Outlaw — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:08:11 +0000

If you don’t know about Red Tails yet, it’s a movie about a crew of African American pilots trained in the Tuskegee program during WWII. While they spent most of the war (literally) grounded by the unjust laws of military segregation, eventually they were called upon to fly dangerous missions, ultimately proving their worth as some of America’s most dedicated and skilled fighter pilots.

Sounds like you average feel-good historical drama dealing with America’s complicated history with race, but here’s the twist: Red Tails is, in part, a product of Lucasfilm, with its story conceived by none other than the Star Wars creator George Lucas, who also serves as the film’s executive producer.

George Lucas and black history? Yep, it’s happening.

Today we have seven minutes of Red Tails ...

Click to continue reading Seven Minutes of ‘Red Tails’ Footage; George Lucas Talks Black Cinema

‘Red Tails’ Trailer #4 Boasts Dazzling Action & Rousing Speeches

Sandy Schaefer — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:23:31 +0000

The story of the Tuskegee Airmen has been told onscreen before (ex. HBO’s 1995 Airmen movie) but the famous African-American combat pilot unit will be brought to life in more cinematic and glorious form with Red Tails, a new film produced by Star Wars mastermind George Lucas and helmed by TV director Anthony Hemingway (The Wire, CSI: NY).

Previous trailers for Red Tails have sold the historical war film as a mix of impressive effects work by Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and old-fashioned melodrama. A new, fully-fledged theatrical preview for the movie does nothing but stick to that sales pitch.

While Red Tails appears to lack the stylishly grainy look of previous W.W. II dramas (ex. Saving Private Ryan, Flags of Our Fathers) it does look to recreate the experience of ...

Click to continue reading ‘Red Tails’ Trailer #4 Boasts Dazzling Action & Rousing Speeches

‘Red Tails’ Trailer #3 Promises Stunning Aerial Battles & Epic Action

Sandy Schaefer — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:54:13 +0000

While Red Tails was helmed by TV vet Anthony Hemingway (The Wire, Battlestar Galactica, CSI: NY), it’s co-writer/producer George Lucas’ name that’s being used as the major selling point for the rousing true-story WWII action drama.

A new preview for Red Tails was unveiled at the 2011 SCREAM Awards – and, if the footage on display is any indication, the film will definitely be as technically-proficent and visually-impressive as anything previously produced by Lucas – or rather, that featured effects work by his Industrial Light & Magic (ILM).

Lucas is receiving story credit for Red Tails, but the actual screenplay was penned by John Ridley (Platinum, Third Watch) and The Boondocks comic strip/TV show creator Aaron McGruder. So those who long ago abandoned their faith in Lucas’ ability to craft non-hokey dialogue or interesting characters need not ...

Click to continue reading ‘Red Tails’ Trailer #3 Promises Stunning Aerial Battles & Epic Action

‘Red Tails’ Trailer #2 Promises A Grand WWII Drama

Sandy Schaefer — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:51:18 +0000

Remember back when George Lucas used to produce cool stuff? Yeah, it’s been a while.

Next year’s Red Tails is a passion project for the Star Wars creator, who’s been wanting to realize the true-life tale of the Tuskegee Airman in grand cinematic form for a couple of decades now. It looks to be easily the most appealing project Lucas has been involved with (here, as producer and story writer) in some time, judging by the early footage glimpsed.

Red Tails is a historical war drama that utilizes the generally impeccable effects work of Industrial Light & Magic to bring its W.W. II setting to stylish life. It also boasts a solid main cast that includes stars like Oscar-nominee Terence Howard (Iron Man), Golden-Globe Nominee Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), David Oyelowo (Rise of the ...

Click to continue reading ‘Red Tails’ Trailer #2 Promises A Grand WWII Drama

‘Red Tails’ Trailer: An Epic Inspirational War Movie

Kofi Outlaw — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:27:36 +0000

It seems that tales of African-American contribution to America’s long and celebrated history are back in fashion at the movies right now. While the ladies have the upcoming inspirational story about social inequality, The Help, to enjoy, us boys have a high-flying war epic about the very same subject to keep us entertained.

Today we have the first trailer for Lucasfilm’s Red Tails, which will mix the technical talents of Industrial Light & Magic with the dramatic talents of some celebrated actors, in order to chronicle an important piece of American history.

If you haven’t heard much about it yet: Red Tails tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen – the first all African-American aerial combat unit, trained at the Tuskegee Institute, one of the first African-American colleges established ...

Click to continue reading ‘Red Tails’ Trailer: An Epic Inspirational War Movie

Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: June 5th, 2011

Niall Browne — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:37:20 +0000

This week:

The X-Men come First at the box office; George Lucas’ Red Tails gets composed – it looks like it might take off soon; Alison Hannigan slices open American Reunion; Hailee Steinfeld and Megan Fox fight it out for Carrie; the producer of Insidious talks about a potential sequel and Bradley Cooper and Oliva Wilde have Words.

Box Office

The fourth instalment of the X-Men franchise – X-Men: First Class topped the box office over the weekend. However, depending on your point of view you could say that it’s the fifth in the series, if you count last year’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine or you could call it the first in a new series since it’s a prequel/reboot (preboot?) of Bryan Singer’s 2000 film. Whatever the case, the Matthew Vaughn-directed superhero film banked an estimated $56 million over the weekend – a figure which is pretty much on a par with ...

Click to continue reading Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: June 5th, 2011

Set Photos From George Lucas’ Red Tails

Mike Eisenberg — Tue, 11 May 2010 03:29:07 +0000

The first look behind the scenes of producer George Lucas’ World War II biopic Red Tails have surfaced. The last we heard from the set, George Lucas was none too thrilled with director Anthony Hemingway’s work and ordered re-shoots that he himself would direct, but that later turned out to be false. Even though these photos appear (according to the film slate) to be over a year old, an inside look is an inside look.

Red Tails stars Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding, Jr. in an ensemble cast that hopes to successfully tell one of WWII’s most intriguing stories. While we don’t see the big names in action, the photos focus a little more on the planes and cameras. So, if you are a fan of either, this is a batch ...

Click to continue reading Set Photos From George Lucas’ Red Tails

Is George Lucas’ Red Tails In Trouble?

Niall Browne — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:42:45 +0000

In recent years George Lucas has become something of a whipping boy for film fans, who cite his revisionist approach to film-making as tantamount to heresy.

Well, they might be able to get on their high horses again with news that Lucas was so unhappy with director Anthony Hemingway’s work on the film that he has ordered (and will direct) “massive” re-shoots for his forthcoming producing effort Red Tails.

Red Tails is a fictional tale of the real life Tuskegee Airmen, who were the first African-American pilots to fly in the Second World War. Terrence Howard and Cuba Gooding Jr headline the cast of the forthcoming film.

Principal photography wrapped on Red Tails in November, but First Showing reports that “hefty” rewrites are taking place and that producer Rick McCallum is looking at all the footage that has been shot to ...

Click to continue reading Is George Lucas’ Red Tails In Trouble?

Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: April 12, 2009

Niall Browne — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 02:57:39 +0000

This week:

Miley is smiley over the box office; Gyllenhaal joins Thompson and Fiennes in Nanny McPhee; Terrance Howard may not be in Iron Man 2 – but he will star with Method Man and Gooding Jr in George Lucas’ Red Tails; Jennifer Garner likes Butter and we discover Burt Dickenson: The Most Powerful Magician on Planet Earth.

Box Office

Well if you thought that Fast and Furious’ $70+ million gross was impressive last week then you’ll be amazed that the Hannah Montana The Movie with Miley Cyrus banked $34 million over the weekend. That’s enough to mend Billy Ray’s Achy Breaky Heart.

Fast & Furious sped past the magic $100 million mark with a weekend total of $28 million. Down an okay 59% after its mega opening the Vin Diesel/ Paul Walker pic has now made off with $118 million.

Monster Vs. Aliens brought its total up to $144 million after making another ...

Click to continue reading Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: April 12, 2009

Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: March 22, 2009

Niall Browne — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:18:54 +0000

It’s Sunday and therefore it’s Wrap Up time. This week:

We Know who is top of the box office; Cage and Bruckheimer make a date; Beatty fights over Dick Tracy; George Lucas’s Red Tails gets Wild(s); get ready for Demonkeeper; Segal meets Little Fockers and Universal knows the Rites of Men.

Box Office
Nicolas Cage is king of the box office with Knowing. The Alex Proyas (I Robot) directed film should manage about $24-25 million over the weekend. Put it this way, Knowing made more on Friday than Bangkok Dangerous made on it’s opening weekend.

The Paul Rudd- Jason Segal comedy I love You, Man should cash in $18 million over the weekend. The R-rated comedy was similar to the weekend starts of the stars previous film like Role Models and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Julia Roberts re-teams with Clive Owen for Duplicity. The comedy-caper film should steal $14.5 million from audiences over ...

Click to continue reading Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: March 22, 2009

Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: September 28, 2008

Niall Browne — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:48:57 +0000

It’s a sad Sunday for the Weekend Movie News Wrap Up, with the passing of Hollywood Legend Paul Newman. However, the beauty with Hollywood is that great films and great actors will live on forever. Newman has left a great body of work as his legacy, but lets not forget that the man also was hugely charitable, giving millions away from the profits of his Newman’s Own brand. It’s a real shame.

In this week’s wrap up:

George Lucas finds a director to fly Red Tails; Will Smith flies again in Hancock 2; Sony buys Mark Millar’s War Heroes; Sherlock Holmes gets some love and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels sees Pink.

Box Office

Shia LaBeouf consolidated his standing on the A-list with a gross of around $29 million for Eagle Eye. The film has the fifth highest September weekend opening in history. Richard Gere and Diane Lane will capture around $14 million for the romantic ...

Click to continue reading Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: September 28, 2008

Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: August 24, 2008

Niall Browne — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:27:01 +0000

Yes folks it’s that time of the week! Once again we troll through the overlooked movie news to give you a fully comprehensive overview of what’s been happening in Hollywood.

This week:

Nicolas Cage decides to Kick Ass, every-one’s favorite Journeyman Kevin McKidd may be a Highlander, Ben Affleck Extract‘s something for Mike Judge, Samuel L. Jackson eyes Red Tails for George Lucas and The Sweeney gets shafted by the British Film Industry.

1. Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson and Lyndsy Fonseca have signed on to Matthew Vaughn’s adaptation of the Mark Millar comic book Kick Ass. According to The Hollywood Reporter the plot:

“…centers on a high school dweeb named Dave Lizewski who decides to become a superhero even though he has no athletic ability or coordination. Things change when he eventually runs into real bad guys with real weapons.Johnson plays title character, while Fonseca plays the object of the teen’s infatuation who ...

Click to continue reading Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: August 24, 2008

Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: Mar 16, 2008

Niall Browne — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:09:58 +0000

Welcome to another Weekend Movie News Wrap Up. It’s almost St Patrick’s Day, which is great for everyone, but as I’m Irish it means that I can drink Guinness all day long and no one will look down on me. Well, no more than usual.

That’s enough about me though, I know that you don’t read this item to discover my social calender so I’ll cut to the chase and give you your movie news fix from the past week.

This week we have news on : Mad Max: Fury Road, George Lucas’ Red Tails, The Punisher : War Zone, Wolfgan Petersen’s Uprising and a new version of Heavy Metal.

1. Newsweek spoke with George Miller about the fourth Mad Max film: Fury Road. He is quoted as saying:

Well, the first one will be a Mad Max game. Because what happened was, we were all ready to go, within eleven weeks ...

Click to continue reading Weekend Movie News Wrap Up: Mar 16, 2008