Saint Studios Blog

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The Films That Time Forgot: The Adventures of Ford Fairlane (1990)

Director Renny Harlin (Cliffhanger, The Long Kiss Goodnight) made two movies in 1990. One was Die Hard 2, a movie that launched his career as an action director. The other was The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, a cooky action comedy that has been swept under the rug for the most part. When I saw it on DVD, I had heard such notorious things about it that I had to purchase it and see what all the buzz was about.

The story of the movie follows rock n’ roll Detective Ford Fairlane (Andrew Dice Clay) and his assistant (Lauren Holly) as they try to figure out who killed a record DJ (Gilbert Gottfried). Along the way, they butt heads with a police investigator (Ed O’Neill), a record executive (Wayne Newton), and a hitman (Robert Englund). Looking at some of the names in that last sentence makes this movie more interesting, and that’s the whole gimmick. The movie as a whole is not good, but the parts that particular characters play are interesting.

Wayne Newton was in the James Bond film License to Kill in 1989 as the least violent of the villain set led by Robert Davi, Benicio Del Toro, and Anthony Zerbe. This time around, he is made into a more manipulative character. He sizzles on-screen because he has a certain amount of charm to him. Freddy Krueger, also known as Robert Englund, is in an interesting supporting role as hitman Smiley who has a British accent. His scenes are the best in a film plagued by bad writing and bad jokes.

One critic once said that if there are 3 good scenes in a movie, then you have a good movie. If that philosophy is true, then this is a good movie. However, I recommend that any viewer who watches it turns off his/her brain. Andrew Dice Clay is funny to some and aggravating to others, so it just depends on how you feel about the Diceman. Filmmakers should have taken a hint and fired screenwriter Daniel Waters from Hollywood before he had the chance to write the Bruce Willis bomb Hudson Hawk. Obviously this mistake wasn’t big enough.

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The Films that Time Forgot: Family Business

While normally finding a movie that nobody talks about that’s good can be like finding a diamond in the ruff, sometimes there are movies that are not popular for a reason. Sean Connery, Dustin Hoffman, and Matthew Broderick make for an interesting trio to spar in dramatic scenes, but for some reason Family Business does not add up to a satisfying whole experience.

The movie keeps fluctuating between dramatic and comedic in its efforts to stay entertaining, and toward the end it really, really drags out. The good news is it’s not all bad, for the caper side to this story is particularly interesting. What is especially fun to watch is Hoffman’s character who has been trying to lead an honest life being tempted into robbery. His character exudes enthusiasm at the proceedings, and it’s fun to see Hoffman showcase his range.

The film is directed by a very talented directed Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon) and the D.O.P. would go on to shoot many popular action films in the 90’s before becoming an action director himself. The story is decent, but as I said before switching between heavy and light-hearted takes its toll eventually. While I like Connery, Hoffman, and Broderick, I can’t say that I’ll be repeat viewing this one unless I really run out of things to watch.

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The Films that Time Forgot: “Eye See You” (2002)

I always was reluctant to watch this movie because of the negative clout that surrounded it. While I don’t have any adversity to Sylvester Stallone, there are many critics who follow his work with a dispassion. What I didn’t realize about this film is the originality of its concept and the astounding supporting cast. Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day), Robert Prosky (Last Action Hero), Charles S. Dutton (Alien 3), Courtney B. Vance (Huckleberry Finn), Tom Berenger (Platoon), Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints), Stephen Lang (Avatar), Jeffrey Wright (Casino Royale), and Kris Kristofferson (Blade) all show up for the party.

The story is one of the most original concepts that I’ve seen in a while. A cop who is washed up after a serial killer stalks him on a personal level tries to recover from alcoholism at a remote recuperation clinic that is located inside a missile silo. While The Hateful Eight tried its best to mimic the classic Kurt Russell movie The Thing, Eye See You does it far better with a considerable amount of tension and plot twists to keep you guessing. Stallone exerts himself as best he can amongst such talented supporting players.

For anyone who liked the movies Seven or Affliction, this movie is a combination of those two narratives tied together with an important story about personal redemption. While it’s not as iconic as Rocky or Rambo movies for Stallone, it certainly ranks up there with some of his other lesser known titles like Assassins. The setting alone makes the movie worth a watch, but make sure not to enjoy this one alone if you’re not into the psychological thriller genre. The killer is pretty inventive and startling, and I won’t be looking at power drills the same for a while.

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Rogue One Official Trailer

Stars Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens was excellent, but this trailer for Rogue One looks like something truly special. Diving back into the time period surrounding A New Hope, Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything, Amazing Spider-Man 2) looks fantastic and should provide a very memorable Star Wars story. Joining her is an amazing supporting cast including Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal, Casino Royale) and Forest Whitaker. I can’t wait for December 16th.

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Opinion: Black Mass & Legend

Throughout the years, Hollywood likes to release similar movies in pairs. Sometimes, it’s a blatant competition in the case of such films as Tombstone and Wyatt Earp as well as Capote and Infamous. This past year, the gangster genre was revisited by two real-life stories: Black Mass and Legend. The movies bear multiple similarities.

Black Mass is essentially a showpiece for Johnny Depp’s underrated performance. He is surrounded by competent supporting players, but at the end of the day the film centers largely on him. Legend, while about twin gangster brothers, is told from the perspective of Reggie Kray’s wife Francis played by Emily Browning. This is a unique perspective on the usual formula and Browning shines in the role.

Both movies are largely depressing because a life of crime can never lead to good things. Both films are mildly violent, and a part of me as a viewer wishes that the storytelling was fantasized a bit more to give a more Godfather vibe to the narrative.

One of my favorite gangster movies is Road to Perdition, a wonderful movie starring Tom Hanks as a gangster who is avenging the death of his wife and son while trying to maintain his relationship with his surviving son. It has a wonderful balance of action, violence, suspense, and other elements that really round out the experience. For both Black Mass and Legend, while there are good moments, they both feel as though they’re missing something.

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The Hateful Eight Review

The Hateful Eight is one of those movies that you have to watch more than once. Upon first viewing, I was horrified by the brute violence (which there is a lot of) to the extent that I was distracted from the craft of the storytelling. Watching it a second time, I really enjoyed the first ninety minutes again (as I did the first time) and had a new appreciation for how the characters bloom. A highlight of the film is Walton Goggins as Sheriff Chris Mannix. In terms of Tarantino films, it is my opinion that it is a weaker Western than the sprawling epic Django Unchained, and is more akin to the nihilistic Reservoir Dogs vibe. Jackie Brown is my favorite Tarantino film, and I'm looking forward to the day when he trumps it. Two more movie opportunities for him to do so. The Hateful Eight isn't a bad movie, it's just not for the faint of heart. The entire first viewing, I kept saying to myself "this movie feels like The Thing (1982). After I saw it, I read an interview that confirmed that opinion. Not only do both movies have Kurt Russell, but they both feature a snowstorm with gory events transpiring inside.

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Irrational Man Quick Review

Don't make the mistake of missing Woody Allen's new film. The complex script weaves in and out of numerous genres including romance and mystery, and the performances (especially Emma Stone) are astounding. With a cool, jazzy caper soundtrack fitting of a 60's Bond film and a strong narrative, this is one of Allen's best since "Match Point". Cate Blanchett was good in "Blue Jasmine" and the script was original for "Midnight in Paris", but neither one of the films is as entertaining as "Irrational Man".

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Daredevil Season 2 Review

I’ve seen some scalding reviews about this season of “Daredevil”. Some say that there is no plot and that it’s nothing but action. I strongly disagree. This season has been one of the most riveting show that I’ve watched in a long time. The showrunners got it right by making the Punisher a pivotal character on the show. Originally I didn’t think that I would like Jon Bernthal in the role of Frank Castle because he seems typecast in the Shane character from “Walking Dead”. Fortunately, his portrayal of the Punisher has many layers to it, and my only longing for this season was to see him in action more.

Elodie Yung (GI Joe: Retaliation) plays Elektra and steals the show many times. After the 2003 Ben Affleck movie, I’ve always had the hardest time taking Elektra seriously because of the camp found in that portrayal. Yung tosses out the puns and brings a certain Geena Davis Long Kiss Goodnight toughness to the role. She plays very well off of Charlie Cox, and undoubtedly the caper in episode 6 is a highlight. Compared to the last season, I’d say that this one takes a lot more risks and has a lot bolder strokes. The fight scenes are presented with better cinematography and choreography, and the secret organization surrounding the character Stick (Scott Glenn) makes for interesting set pieces. This season is a tad gorier to appease the Punisher fans, but it’s not the same tasteless garbage that Punisher: War Zone sank to. What will be interesting is to see where the show goes from here. Star Charlie Cox has said that he would like Bullseye to be a part of Season 3. I’m hoping that the Punisher will get his own spin-off Netflix series where he can be front, center, and more involved. The crossovers between “Jessica Jones” and “Daredevil” are quite fun, and it shows that Marvel is doing a lot better on the show front than in the cinemas. While there is a formula to their shows, it is an extremely entertaining one that doesn’t feel as rehashed as the movies do.

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Check out our own Jeremy Sande (The Almosts) in the trailer for the new Mark Wahlberg movie, Deepwater Horizon.

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From Project Aaron to Year of the Saint

In October of 2014 we tragically lost a very dear friend of ours, Aaron Brown. However, Aaron was not simply our friend he was a fantastic actor and had been with Saint Studios from the beginning. In 2015 we embarked on the journey we called Project Aaron to both celebrate and honor Aaron. Month by month we made available the numerous films he had acted in throughout the years. That journey has led us today, with the release of the final Project Aaron feature film, Razor Sharp. It's bittersweet releasing this film to the world because it is the last of what Aaron and I worked on together, but he has left behind a legacy of diverse performances that got better with every production.

Razor Sharp is uniquely special, as it does not look just to the past, but also towards the future. While it may be the end of Project Aaron, it is also the beginning off our next journey, Year of the Saint. We know Aaron is looking over us cheering us on, his spirit is the embodiment of what Saint Studios desires to be.

Year of the Saint is the most ambitious undertaking we have ever done. We have planned five features, four shorts, and three previews.  And that's just what we have scheduled, not including other films that will emerge throughout Year of the Saint.  Although we have been making movies for over a decade, this is a year we’re especially excited about because of the diversity of the projects we are releasing.  This year will be about us stretching our wings and learning how to fly. Let’s take off on this journey together and see where it takes us.

Razor Sharp is available now for $7.99!

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"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" pulled off an impossible task.  It kept the same human appeal that made "Man of Steel" so memorable while plunging into the darkness of Gotham City.  This new incarnation of Batman is an exceptionally blunt one, but that works for the environment he's operating in. Gal Gadot turns heads as Wonder Woman, Amy Adams outdoes herself as Lois Lane, Jesse Eisenberg is a vision as Lex Luthor, but it's Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman that steals the show. - Curtis

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This Enchanting Southern Town Was Built for a Movie (and Never Torn Down)

Not only can you visit, you can go camping there.

What!?  Going to have to schedule a filming trip to this place.  "Big Fish" is such a fantastic movie and to film in the same place would be a dream come true. - Curtis

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Check out this short film from Wade Patterson of Blazewalker Pictures!

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Studio acquires book series that inspired the movie that almost convinced the studio to exit the animation business before its renaissance; why a live-action version of the stories now may have very different results

Always seen as one of Disney's less powerful animated films, these stories will make for an extremely epic film series.

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"The Big Short" has a lot of style which outweighs the outrageous amount of technical jargon.  An all-star cast really brings the story to life, with Christian Bale really stealing the show this time around. - Curtis

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Crossroads Film Festival Kicks Off with Hometown Screening of “The Hollars” Mississippi showing honors cast and crew who worked on the film JACKSON, MS – Robbie Fisher, Mississippi Crossroads Film Society President, today announced that “The Hollars” – filmed in central Mississippi in 2014 – will be the opening feature this year’s Film Festival, showing at 6:00 p.m. on March 31 at Malco Grandview Cinema in Madison...

This film really got a lot of the Jackson film community involved, and it's fantastic to finally be able to see it at a local film festival. - Curtis

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Honest Trailers: Batman v Superman

I am a fan of both of these movies. They both defined the way that I tell stories in different ways, and both of them were an odyssey for their respective directors. Richard Donner changed the movie business with his verisimilitude in "Superman", and Tim Burton brought darkness into the superhero genre with "Batman". These Honest Trailers are really funny stabs at these classics.

- Curtis