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Although Stanley Kubrick's 1980 horror film "The Shining" is frequently cited as one of the scariest films of all time, it's widely known that Stephen King — who wrote the 1977 novel on which it's based — hates it. Kubrick famously altered several details of King's book, and the author felt that the changes were arbitrary at best and insulting at worst. King wrote his story as the tale of an ordinary man who was gradually driven to madness. King expressed interest in gentler actors like Martin Sheen or Michael Moriarty for the role of Jack Torrance, feeling they would be sympathetic immediately. Kubrick, however, cast Jack Nicholson in the role, and King felt that Nicholson was already unstable from the jump. With Nicholson, it wasn't a tale of a sane man going insane, but an already-insane man cracking open.

Kubrick, however, was already granted permission by Warner Bros., so he went ahead...

As 2021 mercifully winds down, the Criterion Channel have a (November) lineup that marks one of their most diverse selections in some time—films by the new masters Ryusuke Hamaguchi and Garrett Bradley, Dan Sallitt’s Fourteen (one of 2020’s best films) couched in a fantastic retrospective, and Criterion editions of old favorites.

Fourteen is featured in “Between Us Girls: Bonds Between Women,” which also includes Céline and Julie, The Virgin Suicides, and Yvonne Rainer’s Privilege. Of equal note are Criterion editions for Ghost World, Night of the Hunter, and (just in time for del Toro’s spin) Nightmare Alley—all stacked releases in their own right.

See the full list of October titles below and more on the Criterion Channel.

300 Nassau, Marina Lameiro, 2015

5 Card Stud, Henry Hathaway, 1968

Alone, Garrett Bradley, 2017

Álvaro, Daniel Wilson, Elizabeth Warren, Alexandra Lazarowich, and Chloe Zimmerman, 2015

America, Garrett Bradley, 2019

Angel Face, Otto Preminger, 1953

Angels Wear White,...

Left-of-centre comedy The Menkoff Method marks a return to film directing for veteran David Parker — he last directed 1997's.Diana and Me.

Parker is best known for his extensive cinematography work and for penning the likes of Malcolm and The Big Steal, both of which were directed by his wife and frequent collaborator Nadia Tass. .

He was drawn back to the director.s chair by the "crazy premise" of the.The Menkoff Method.s script, written by Zac Gillam.

.I read a lot of stuff. I actually laughed out loud when I read this, which is really unusual,. he told If. .

Described as .comedy of human resources., The Menkoff Method follows a quiet-mannered data processer David Cork (Lachlan Woods) whose true passion is drawing manga.

That passion is thwarted when Russian Hr consultant Max Menkoff (Noah Taylor) arrives to reform the office through unorthodox means, and it.s up to...

Director David Parker will start shooting The Menkoff Method, billed as a quirky .comedy of human resources,. in Melbourne on September 9.

The screenplay is by first-timer Zac Gillam. It.s the debut feature from White Hot Productions, the production arm of the White Hot Group. The producers are David Lee, Jan Bladier and John Kearney, with Ian Kirk as executive producer.

The plot follows David Cork, a young, introverted bank worker who.s more interested in drawing his comic book than his tedious job in the bank.s data processing centre. All that changes when an enigmatic Russian Hr consultant, Max Menkoff, introduces sweeping reforms with devastating effects.

Menkoff.s unorthodox management techniques take on a dark and sinister turn, forcing Cork and the beautiful and formidable Ruby Jackson from the bank.s head office to try to save their colleagues from a fate worse than death.

The cast will be announced soon.

Over the last 25 years, critically acclaimed Nadia Tass has become one of Australia's most respected and versatile filmmakers. Born in Greece, Nadia started out as an actress on the TV series “Prisoner” before moving behind the camera for Malcolm. With husband and frequent collaborator David Parker providing the screenplay and cinematography, the acclaimed 1986 film introduced the mix of humor and humanity that has become Tass’ hallmark. Whether directing Aussie indies like Amy, Hollywood fare like Pure Luck, or theatrical productions in London and Australia, Tass creates works of emotional resonance that charm audiences all over the globe. Nadia Tass is honoured to have a retrospective of her films play at the American Cinematheque (Aero Theatre) in August. If you've never seen them but always wanted to, or if you've seen them and remember them fondly, then now is your chance to catch these classic Australian films (Malcolm, The Big Steal, Amy and Matching Jack) on the big screen in Santa Monica.

Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave (at 14th Street), Santa Monica

Double Feature: Thursday, August 16 - 7.30pm

Malcolm, 1986, Lionsgate, 90 min. Dir. Nadia Tass.

Socially awkward but a mechanical genius, Malcolm loses his job as a Melbourne tramcar operator and takes in a couple of boarders to make ends meet. When he learns the pair are petty criminals, Malcolm uses his knack for gadgetry to help them pull off a series of dazzling robberies. Both warm and hilarious, Nadia Tass' debut feature won 8 Australian Film Institute awards including the Best Film award. Internationally, it won 21 awards.

Discussion between films with director Nadia Tass

The Big Steal, 1990, Cascade Films, 99 min. Dir. Nadia Tass

Young Danny (Ben Mendelsohn of "Animal Kingdom" fame) tries to impress the girl of his dreams with the promises of a ride in his new Jag; unfortunately, Danny drives his family's old Nissan Cedric. But there's a spiffy Jaguar XJ6 in a local used car lot, and the salesman (Steve Bisley) is offering him the deal of a lifetime - what could possibly go wrong? This delightful caper comedy took home 3 AFI awards including one for David Parker's screenplay.

Double Feature: Friday, August 17 - 7.30pm

Matching Jack, 2010, Cascade Films, 99 min. Dir. Nadia Tass

In the most recent film from noted Australian director Nadia Tass, a mother seeks a bone marrow match for her son, diagnosed with leukemia, and finds unlikely sources of hope in her husband's infidelity, and in another man with a sick child. With outstanding performances from stars Jacinda Barrett, James Nesbitt, Kodi Smit-McPhee and Tom Russell. It garnered the top awards at the Milan International Film Festival for Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay

Click to view trailer: www.matchingjack.com

Discussion between films with director Nadia Tass

Amy, 1998, Cascade Films, 104 min. Dir. Nadia Tass

Traumatized by the death of her rock star father, 8 year old Amy (a remarkable Alana De Roma) has become mute. When her mother (Academy Award nominee, Rachel Griffiths) brings her to Melbourne in search of treatment, they move in with some quirky locals, one of whom (Ben Mendelsohn) tries to use music to bring the little girl out of her world of silence. A touching mix of comedy, drama and son, Amy won 28 international awards, including the Grand Prix Cannes Junior at the Cannes Film Festival.

Series compiled by Grant Moninger. Program notes by John Hagelston. Retrospective facilitated by Joan Borsten of Films by Jove and Cida Goncalves of 8 Star Entertainment.

American Cinematheque - Aero Theatre

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/aero_theatre_series

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/aero_theatre_events?page=2

Thursday, August 16th - Malcolm and The Big Steal

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/malcolm-the-big-steal

Friday, August 17th - Amy and Matching Jack

http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/matching-jack-amy

Tickets

www.fandango.com...

Australian director Nadia Tass, director of Malcolm, The Big Steal and last year’s Matching Jack will see a retrospective of her work at the American Cinematheque in La. Tass’s the forthcoming film stars Harvey Keitel and is tentatively titled Fatal Honeymoon, due in theatres in 2013, distributed by Pinnacle.

The announcement:

Australian director Nadia Tass is to be honoured with a major retrospective of her work at the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles during August.

The retrospective will screen four of Tass’ most acclaimed films – Malcolm, The Big Steal, Amy and Matching Jack.

Amongst the many honours in her illustrious career, Nadia Tass won multiple Australian Film Institute Awards, including Best Director and Best Film Awards for Malcolm. She and filmmaking partner,David Parker, shared the Byron Kennedy Award in 1986 for their contribution to Australian cinema. Amy received 23 international awards including Best Film at the Paris Film Festival (1999), Grand...

The American Cinematheque will hold a retrospective during August to honour the work of Australian director Nadia Tass.

The Los Angeles-based retrospective will screen Tass. award winning films Malcolm, The Big Steal, Amy and Matching Jack over a two-night tribute.

Tass, who has just finished directing her latest film Fatal Honeymoon, has previously won awards at the Milan International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and Asia Pacific Film Festival. She is also the recipient (along with her partner, cinematographer and producer David Parker) of the prestigious Byron Kennedy award for her contribution to the Australian film industry.

Tass, who began her career as an actor on the show Prisoner, has worked consistently in both America and Australia with her Us titles including Pure Luck, The Miracle Worker and Undercover Christmas.

The American Cinematheque tribute will feature Tass discussing her work between film screenings on August 17. Fatal Honeymoon will be released...

English director Simon West has been brought on to direct Dust and Glory.

The Expendables 2 and Tomb Raider director will helm the story set in the 1950s, following a car race that covered 10,000km around Australia and focused on the rivalry between an American driver and his Australian counterpart.

Robert Galinsky (Prey) has written the script based upon the Evan Green novelisation of the events.

Along with Galinsky’s Top Cat Media partners Elizabeth Howatt-Jackman (Prey, Hating Alison Ashley) and David Parker (The Big Steal, Matching Jack), Blue Star Entertainment’s Jason Shuman and William Sherak (Role Models) will produce.

Galinsky said: “Simon West was our top choice and couldn’t be more perfectly suited to tell this story. We are beyond excited to have him.”

The film is scheduled to begin production this summer in Australia.

Dust & Glory Ltd have partnered with American-based Blue Star Entertainment to produce Australian adventure film Dust and Glory. The deal was brought together by associate producer Zach Green, who has worked with both companies in the past.

The film, based on the Evan Green novel of the same name, is the story of the 1950s Redex off road trials, covering 10,000 miles around Australia and focused on the rivalry between an American hotshot and an Australian legend.

The film is written by Robert Galinsky (Prey) and produced by Galinsky, Elizabeth Howatt-Jackman (Hating Alison Ashley, Prey) and David Parker (Malcolm, The Big Steal, Matching Jack) with executive producer Geoffrey Edelsten.

Blue Star recently produced Role Models, Middle Men and Bangkok Dangerous as well as Darkness Falls, shot in Australia.

Blue Star’s Jason Shuman said in a statement “This is a fantastic script and a great story combining two things I love,...

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, DVD rental company Quickflix has published its list of Australia’s favourite romance films, in which Muriel’s Wedding is the highest ranked local title, sitting in the 108th position.

“Perhaps [the fact that the favourite Australian romance is a film from 1994] is evidence that Australian audiences are craving more romantic fare in local films. The Australian film industry no longer needs to prove it can produce world-class drama, but it might be time for us to show off our sincere, comic, and romantic side once again,” Quickflix online editor and film critic Simon Miraudo told Encore.

“Although recent pictures like Samson & Delilah, Somersault and Unfinished Sky are all popular, our members seem to have a soft spot for the lighthearted romances of the 1990s,” added Miraudo.

In terms of films added to subscribers’ rental lists, the most popular local title was Baz Luhrman’s Australia (2008), which also ranked 22nd on the overall list of movie romances added to users’ queues.