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With a career spanning more than five decades, Michael Douglas has seen the movie business evolve before his very eyes, but lately he’s been critical of what the future holds for the industry, going so far as to say it’s been dumbed down by one region in particular: California’s Silicon Valley. Douglas got his start in 1966 as 'Jeep Driver' in his father’s film, Cast a Giant Shadow, the title of which is apropos when you consider that he’s a nepo baby that lived in the shadow of Kirk Douglas for much of his early years.

Currently in the midst of filming the upcoming drama Blood Knot, Douglas was on hand at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for an informal chat (via The Hollywood Reporter) that saw him discuss the changes in Hollywood over the years. While 35mm is still used in many productions,...

After 50 years, Michael Keaton is outgrowing his stage name and returning to his roots.

The Academy Award nominee, who was born Michael John Douglas, recently explained how he landed on his professional moniker after the Screen Actors Guild prohibited him from using the same name as Wall Street actor Michael Douglas or talk show host Mike Douglas.

“I was looking through — I can’t remember if it was a phone book,” Keaton recalled to People. “I must’ve gone, ‘I don’t know, let me think of something here.’ And I went, ‘Oh, that sounds reasonable.'”

He first appeared onscreen in 1975 episodes of Where the Heart Is and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, nearly a decade after Douglas’ first appearance in Cast a Giant Shadow (1966). Keaton has since gone on to rack up more than 90 credits under his stage name.

The Birdman star explained that he plans to combine to two...

Chaim Topol, a leading Israeli actor who charmed generations of theatergoers and movie-watchers with his portrayal of Tevye, the long-suffering and charismatic milkman in “Fiddler on the Roof,” has died in Tel Aviv, Israeli leaders said Thursday. He was 87.

The cause was not immediately released.

Israeli leaders on Thursday tweeted their memories and condolences to Topol’s family.

Israel’s ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog hailed Topol as “one of the most outstanding Israeli actors,” who “filled the movie screens with his presence and above all entered deep into our hearts.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Topol’s “contribution to Israeli culture will continue to exist for generations.”

Read More: Gary Rossington, Last Surviving Original Lynyrd Skynyrd Member, Dead At 71

Benny Gantz, Israel’s former minister of defense, praised Topol for helping Israelis connect to their roots.

“We laughed and cried at the same time over the deepest wounds of Israeli society,...

Chaim Topol, the spirited Israeli actor and singer who, one season following another, portrayed Tevye the milkman in Fiddler on the Roof on stages all around the world and in an Oscar-nominated turn in Norman Jewison’s 1971 film adaptation, has died. He was 87.

Topol died Thursday in Tel Aviv after a long illness, his rep, Jean Diamond, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Israel’s first international movie star, Topol also played famed Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei in Galileo (1975); an American scientist, Dr. Hans Zarkov, in the cult sci-fi classic Flash Gordon (1980); and Milos Columbo, a Greek smuggler and ally of Roger Moore’s James Bond, in For Your Eyes Only (1981).

As Polish family man Berel Jastrow, he was central to the plot of two acclaimed 1980s ABC miniseries, The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, both based on Herman Wouk novels.

In a pairing that a matchmaker would surely appreciate,...

Chaim Topol, who became professionally known solely by his last name in a career that included starring in “Fiddler on the Roof” on stage and screen and co-starring in the James Bond movie “For Your Eyes Only” and the sci-fi film “Flash Gordon,” died Thursday in Tel Aviv after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 87 years old.

Topol’s death was confirmed by Israel’s president Isaac Herzog, who described him as a “gifted actor who conquered many stages in Israel and overseas, filled the cinema screens with his presence and especially entered deep into our hearts.”

Topol began his long association with the starring role of Tevye the milkman in the musical “Fiddler on the Roof” in 1967, appearing in the West End production, which ran for 2,030 performances. He starred in Norman Jewison’s 1971 film version, which carried a budget estimated at $9 million and garnered a domestic gross of $80 million.

Chaim Topol, the Israeli actor who achieved international stardom for his portrayal of Tevye in several stage productions of “Fiddler on the Roof” as well as the 1971 stage adaptation, died Wednesday following a years-long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 87.

Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, announced the news, saying in a statement that Topol was a “gifted actor who conquered many stages in Israel and overseas, filled the cinema screens with his presence and especially entered deep into our hearts.”

Though Topal was best known for “Fiddler,” over his decades-long career he also starred in a range of films that have become recognized as classics. Among them, he portrayed mad scientist Hans Zarkov in director Mike Hodges’ “Flash Gordon” (1980), and the smuggler-turned-hero Milos Columbo in the 1981 James Bond film “For Your Eyes Only.”

Topal was born in Tel Aviv, then part of British Mandate Palestine, in 1935. He first developed...

Chaim Topol, an Israeli actor best known for his role as Tevye in the film version of Fiddler on the Roof, died Thursday at age 87 in Tel Aviv after a multi-year battle with Alzheimer’s.

Topol had a wide range of credits, but will always be known for the central character of Tevye — first in stage productions, then later in the film. He later returned to the stage with the role.

Born in Tel Aviv in 1935, Topol began his acting career while completing his Idf service in the army’s entertainment troupe, where he met his wife, Galia. After that, he joined a theater group, appearing in multiple productions before his first film role, the 1961 drama I Like Mike.

But it was his 1964 role in the film Sallah Shabati that first gained Topol serious attention, both domestically and internationally. Topol played the title role in the now-iconic film about the...

We've got some very sad breaking news now coming in as it's being reported veteran actor Kirk Douglas has passed away. Reportedly, Douglas died on Wednesday at the age of 103, and though no exact cause was given, it's noted his health had recently been declining. A veteran actor with a career in Hollywood spanning over 60 years, Douglas is also known as the father of famous actor Michael Douglas, who confirmed his father's passing in a statement released by the Douglas family.

"It is with tremendous sadness that my brothers I announce that Kirk Douglas left us today at the age of 103. To the world, he was a legend, an actor from the golden age of movies who lived well into his golden years, a humanitarian whose commitment to justice and the causes he believed in set a standard of us all to aspire to," Michael says in the statement. He...

What follows are a few words that Kirk Douglas wrote about Theodore Bikel — who died of natural causes on Tuesday at the age of 91 — and asked to share on The Race. * * * I first met Theodore Bikel in Jerusalem in 1966. I was there to make the movie Cast a Giant Shadow, and I gave this Israeli actor a part as an Arab. From then on, our friendship flourished — in New York, Los Angeles and Tel Aviv, where he gave me a wonderful luncheon. I was intrigued with his performance in Fiddler on the

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Though many sons take after their father's looks, few were also passed down their old man's acting chops and followed his footsteps to Hollywood. In honor of Father's Day, THR rounds up six real-life fathers and sons who have starred opposite each other onscreen. Read More 6 Mother-Daughter Duos Who Have Appeared in Films Together (Video) 1. Kirk Douglas and Michael Douglas Michael had an uncredited cameo in his father's 1966 film Cast a Giant Shadow before both starred together in 2003's It Runs in the Family. Cameron Douglas, Kirk's grandson, also had a supporting role in the

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Actor Michael Douglas turns 70 on Thursday. That's 70 years spent in front of cameras. What better way to celebrate his life so far than with a look back on his impressive body of work? 1. Douglas was famous before his first movieOf course, being the son of another esteemed actor, Kirk Douglas, Michael was in the public eye before his acting career began. In this photo, dated Jan. 1, 1948, 3-year-old Michael already knew how to work the cameras. 2. Cast a Giant ShadowHis famous dad's support also earned Michael Douglas his first onscreen role in this 1966 war movie. That's Michael in the background, above his dad's arm,...

Actor Michael Douglas turns 70 on Thursday. That's 70 years spent in front of cameras. What better way to celebrate his life so far than with a look back on his impressive body of work? 1. Douglas was famous before his first movieOf course, being the son of another esteemed actor, Kirk Douglas, Michael was in the public eye before his acting career began. In this photo, dated Jan. 1, 1948, 3-year-old Michael already knew how to work the cameras. 2. Cast a Giant ShadowHis famous dad's support also earned Michael Douglas his first onscreen role in this 1966 war movie. That's Michael in the background, above his dad's arm,...

Many happy returns, Michael Douglas, who turns 70 today (September 25).

The actor, currently filming the highly-anticipated Marvel movie Ant-Man, has starred on the silver screen for over four decades, making his film debut with father Kirk Douglas in 1966's Cast a Giant Shadow.

To celebrate the Hollywood star's milestone birthday, we delve deep into the archives to pull out some classic images of the acting legend below:

1. Michael Douglas as a young boy lifts a goat to emulate father Kirk Douglas on the set of Howard Hawks's 1952 western The Big Sky.

2. Kirk Douglas shows off his strength (and skin-tight white swimming short shorts) as he lifts youngest son Joel (left) and eldest, Michael (right) during a family holiday circa 1955.

3. An inquisitive Michael inspects a world globe with brother Joel (centre) and father Kirk in the mid '50s.

4. Michael joins Kirk on the set of Melville Shavelson's Cast a Giant Shadow...

DVD Playhouse – May 2012

By Allen Gardner

Shame (20th Century Fox) Director Steve McQueen’s harrowing portrait of a Manhattan sex addict (Michael Fassbender, in the year’s most riveting performance) whose psyche goes into overload when his equally-troubled sister (Carey Mulligan) visits unexpectedly. Exquisitely-made on every level, save for the screenplay, which makes its point after about thirty minutes. While it tries hard to be a modern-day Last Tango in Paris, this fatal flaw makes it fall somewhat short. The much- ballyhooed sex scenes and frontal nudity are the least-interesting things about the film, incidentally, which is still a must-see for discriminating adults who seek out challenging material. Also available on Blu-ray disc. Bonuses: Featurettes. Widescreen. Dolby and DTS-hd 5.1 surround.

Being John Malkovich (Criterion) Spike Jonze’s madcap film of Charlie Kaufman’s script, regarding a socially-disenfranchised puppeteer (John Cusack) who finds a portal into the mind of actor...

There's very little we can say about the indomitable Ol' Blue Eyes that hasn't already been said, but suffice it to say, Frank Sinatra is one of the most successful entertainers of all time, effortlessly transitioning back and forth between his music and acting careers.

On April 3rd, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment releases the rather impressive "The Frank Sinatra Film Collection" on DVD.

Films include Stanley Kramer's "The Pride and the Passion" co-starring Cary Grant and Sophia Loren, "Kings Go Forth" with Tony Curtis and Natalie Wood, Frank Capra's "A Hole in the Head," "Can-Can," featuring Shirley MacLaine, John Frankenheimer's classic "The Manchurian Candidate," "Von Ryan’s Express," "Cast a Giant Shadow" starring Kirk Douglas, Yul Brynner and John Wayne among others, "Tony Rome" (featuring a score by Lee Hazlewood), its sequel, "Lady in Cement" co-starring Raquel Welch, and "The Detective."

The 10-title collection spans 11 years...

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Cast a Giant Shadow: can young Ben Whishaw overcome Desmond Llewelyn's indelible portrayal of Q?

I don't care if Ben Whishaw is considered one of the best young English actors of his generation; he is all wrong for the part of Q precisely because he is too young and handsome. I'm not expecting a clone of Desmond Llewelyn or John Cleese or Alec McCowen to reprise the role of Bond's sarcastic old gadget provider in Skyfall, but Whishaw's delicate features and tousled hair are more suited to decadent poets and rock and roll stars (you may remember his young Keith Richards in Stoned/2005). Whishaw would also make an excellent Dr. Who. (I think 70-year-old Jon Finch – once considered to play James Bond – would have been an interesting choice for Q.) I have a bad feeling about Whishaw's taking on the role.

Whether you’re trying to avoid the releases this week or augment them with even more movies, Your Alternate Box Office offers some options for movies that would play perfectly alongside of (or instead of) the stuff studios are shoving into the megaplex this weekend. This week features a bunch of lingerie-clad girls killing dragons and giant samurai, the sequel to a wimpy kid’s story, an orphan girl stuck in the middle of the Arab-Israeli conflict (without any lingerie or dragons), and a family’s most intimate secrets made public. Labyrinth (1986) Double Feature With or Watch Instead of: Sucker Punch The Pitch: At some point in the early 1980s, Jim Henson decided to team up with the creator of Star Wars to make a fantasy adventure movie written by one of the funnier members of Monty Python (Terry Jones), starring an adorable future Oscar winning Jennifer Connolly and David Bowie – a man who needs no adjectives...

Andy Albeck, who as head of United Artists signed off on the classic "Raging Bull" and the infamous flop "Heaven's Gate," died of heart failure Sept. 29, four days after his 89th birthday, at Nyu Hospital in New York.

Albeck spent more than 30 years at UA, where he worked with such renowned filmmakers as Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola and impacted the iconic James Bond, Rocky and Pink Panther franchises.

After stints as president of UA broadcasting and senior vp operations, Albeck was named studio president and CEO in 1978 after the previous studio leadership left and formed Orion Pictures. His three-year stint at the top was well-documented in former UA executive Steven Bach's best-selling book "Final Cut," which focused on the making of the Michael Cimino's "Heaven's Gate."

The 1980 Western, starring Kris Kristofferson and Christopher Walken, is considered one of the biggest box-office bombs in history.