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I spy with my little eye, something beginning with “spy.” If you guessed “spy thrillers” then congratulations, you win! Now you not only have the love and respect of your peers but also our picks for the 13 best modern spy thrillers. These are the greatest espionage movies since the year 2000, packed with action, or intrigue, or stunts, or all three.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to watch all of these spy movies and report back to us. We think it’ll be easy for a special agent like you!

Pierce Brosnan and Geoffrey Rush in “The Tailor of Panama” (Sony) ‘The Tailor of Panama’ (2001)

Pierce Brosnan’s best spy movie isn’t about James Bond. He plays a despicable espionage agent in John Boorman’s riveting and intelligent “The Tailor of Panama,” based on a novel by spy writer extraordinaire John le Carré (who co-wrote the...

While George Clooney has garnered acclaim for directing films like Good Night, and Good Luck, The Ides of March, and The Midnight Sky, his first foray into filmmaking was controversial. George Clooney stepped behind the camera for his directorial debut with the espionage drama Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, starts streaming on Prime Video on March 6.

The film assembled a star-studded cast to tell the biography of game show host Chuck Barris, who claimed to have worked as a CIA assassin while creating hit television programs. Its arrival on Amazon's streaming platform signals a chance for cinephiles and Clooney lovers to revisit an underrated entry from the movie star's past.

RelatedGeorge Clooney and Adam Sandler Join Forces in New Netflix Comedy From Barbie Co-Writer

The upcoming Netflix film has been in production for a long time.

George Clooney Teamed Up With Renowned Screenwriter For Directorial Debut

Confessions of a Dangerous...

It looks like Brad Pitt and George Clooney’s friendship has turned cold after recent rumors revealed that they have not been hanging out for quite some time. Fans can expect that both actors are busy amid several projects and life issues, and they could be finding it difficult to carve some time to catch up.

Brad Pitt / Credits: CBS News

We are aware of Pitt’s divorce dilemma, and it could have been the reason why he is pretty occupied at the moment, while Clooney and his wife are reportedly prepping to be separated from each other for a specific period of time due to professional commitments.

Brad Pitt and George Clooney are reportedly not chummy anymore

It is a brand new year, and ex-couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie welcomed the new chapter of their lives after they have reached a settlement in their divorce battle that lasted for eight years.

Making movies can be hard, unpredictable work, so it makes sense that, prior to beginning principal photography, many directors try to assemble a team of familiar faces and proven talents. John Ford frequently collaborated with producer Merian C. Cooper; screenwriters like Nunnally Johnson, Dudley Nichols, and Frank S. Nugent; and a whole stock company of actors that included Victor McLaglen, Jack Pennick, Harry Carey Jr., and, of course, John Wayne. On a smaller scale, you've got Joe Dante, who cast character actor Dick Miller in almost all of his movies, and Ron Howard, who's been finding small parts for his brother Clint Howard since making his feature directing debut with 1977's "Grand Theft Auto."

This cohesion gives film productions a sense of built-in camaraderie and purpose; it also conveys an air of confidence in that everyone working on the movie trusts this group of craftspeople knows how to deliver a high-quality picture.

Legendary actress Julia Roberts, during her career, has had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in the industry. Through movies such as Erin Brockovich, the Ocean’s series, and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Roberts has proven her mettle both as an actress and a collaborator.

However, one particular big name, who worked with Roberts on 1994’s I Love Trouble, did not share the best experience with the actress. So much so that Roberts publicly called him “completely disgusting.” The actor was none other than Nick Nolte, who went on to work on franchises such as Marvel and Star Wars.

Julia Roberts did not have the best time working with Nick Nolte Nick Nolte and Julia Roberts’ I Love Trouble. | Amazon

The seeds of this tension were planted during the production of I Love Trouble, where Julia Roberts and Nolte starred as rival reporters who are forced to team up.

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George Clooney might seem like a fun-loving sort, but he is a man who takes his movie stardom seriously. Yes, he's a notorious practical joker who once affixed a frame to Brad Pitt's license plate that read "F*** Cops," but, really, when he's not trying to get his "Ocean's Eleven" co-star arrested, he cares deeply about his craft. If you doubt this, you should perhaps read the book "George Clooney: Anatomy of an Actor," which examines ten of his most significant film performances in some detail — and, yes, I am just recommending this book because I wrote it.

Though Clooney does come from a long line of entertainers, most prominent among them his aunt Rosemary Clooney, he's more than earned his A-list stature. After struggling throughout the 1980s by appearing in past-their-prime sitcoms ("The Facts of Life") and literally...

Exclusive: Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard) and Rachelle Lefevre (Twilight franchise) have wrapped on Liz Here Now, a new indie drama from director Sterling Macer Jr.

Shot in Lexington, Ky, the film is based on the novel of the same name by Todd Connor. The story follows Liz Baxter (Ellis-Taylor), who works as a nanny for a prominent, white family in Oakland, California during the rise of the Black Panther Party in 1967. When Liz discovers that the Connor children are suffering under the hand of their mother, Jane (Lefevre), and attempts to step in to protect the children, she’s accused of participating in a Black Panther conspiracy.

In a statement on the project, Macer Jr. told Deadline, “Our approach to Liz Here Now is a kind of deconstruction of the black maid’s story, and to a degree, bends the genre of the civil rights era domestic drama,...

George Clooney is one of the most noted actors in Hollywood. Beginning his career on TV with the show ER, Clooney soon became one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, after starring in films like From Dusk Till Dawn, the Oceans trilogy, Michael Clayton, and Syriana, the latter of which won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Apart from his acting gigs, Clooney has also been a producer and has multiple other business ventures. He has been an activist and his wife Amal Clooney is a human rights lawyer. He has also directed films. Here is everything you need to know about Clooney’s net worth in 2024.

What Is George Clooney’s Net Worth In 2024? George Clooney in Batman & Robin | Credits: Warner Bros.

George Clooney has been in the industry for over four decades, with the actor having his first breakthrough with the medical TV show ER.

A scene at the very end of Wolfs provides a hint of what the Kid's name might be. Austin Abrams joins Brad Pitt and George Clooney in the Wolfs cast, playing the character named the Kid. He starts the film presumed dead, with the District Attorney, Margaret (Amy Ryan), calling a fixer to clean up his body. It's only after he's escorted out of the hotel and placed in the trunk of a car that Pitt and Clooney's characters realize he's still alive but had an adverse reaction to some drug.

The Kid spends the majority of Wolfs following Pitt and Clooney's characters around, eventually completing the job alongside them. In Wolfs' ending, one of the final scenes shows them all returning to the Kid's house, where the audience is introduced to his father, played by action/comedian Richard Kind. The scene progresses rather quickly, but the limited dialogue offers a lot to consider.

Warning! This article contains major Spoilers for Wolfs (2024)!Reuniting Brad Pitt and George Clooney after 2008s Burn After Reading, Wolfs pairs the movie stars as two unnamed fixers hired to clean up the same job. The Jon Watts-directed action movie utilizes the chemistry between the actors notably showcased in Steven Soderbergh's Oceans Trilogy to craft a hilarious buddy comedy, paying homage to plenty of crime films, buddy movies, and action thrillers that came before. Perhaps unexpectedly, the dynamic and journey of Brad Pitt and George Clooneys fixers in Wolfs are most reminiscent of a 1969 Western classic that starred Paul Newman and Robert Redford.

Though Wolfs operates on the surface as a dark buddy action comedy, many of its story beats and tropes also reflect those of classic movies in the Western genre. From the aging lone wolf outlaw protagonists to the shootouts, warring gangs, and road trip premise,...

George Clooney and Brad Pitt, who haven’t shared a screen together in 16 years, have reignited their iconic partnership for Apple original film Wolfs. The duo play two professional fixers who prefer to work alone but find themselves forced to work together after being hired for the same job.

With the close friends playing rivals in the project, Clooney told The Hollywood Reporter at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Wednesday, “It was just fun, the script was great, we thought it would be fun to do. We haven’t worked together in a long time so it was actually a blast to get together.”

They have previously co-starred in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Burn After Reading and the Oceans trilogy, as Pitt chimed in that rather than this action comedy feeling like another Oceans movie, “It was more focused without all those other people around.” Clooney joked,...

Although George Clooney has won a couple of Oscars and taken part in massive films like Oceans Eleven and Michael Clayton, he's since become well-known for what he's accomplished behind the camera as well. That success as a director began in 2002 with the release of his debut biopic Confessions of a Dangerous Mind based on the 1984 "unauthorized autobiography" of game show host Chuck Barris. Starring Sam Rockwell as Barris, it became a hit with critics and audiences with a Certified Fresh 80% on Rotten Tomatoes for its wildly intriguing espionage thriller. Now, fans of Clooney will soon be able to catch his first feature in a new place, as the film is one of many coming to Paramount+ this September 1.

These days, it feels like George Clooney is known more for his political opinions than his acting career. Billions earned at the box office? Meh. Billions more raised in advocacy, humanitarian efforts, and charity? Yawn. Two-time People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive? Getting closer, but nah. Donald Trump calls you a “rat” on Truth Social? That’s when you know you’ve made it.

Believe it or not, George Clooney used to be famous for something other than his political flip-flops. Well, hold onto your hats because there was actually a time before Clooney’s latest head-scratcher: penning a New York Times op-ed calling Joe Biden unfit for office mere weeks after throwing him the mother of all fundraisers. Yes, you heard that right – he hosted a record-breaking cash bash for Biden, the biggest ever for a Democrat candidate, then declared to the world that the guy shouldn’t run.

Stanisław Lem's 1961 sci-fi novel "Solaris" had already famously been adapted to film by the masterful Andrei Tarkovsky in 1972, so there was some debate as to whether or not Steven Soderbergh's 2002 version of "Solaris" counted as a remake or simply another adaptation. Given the slow, moody, contemplative style that Soderbergh affects for his film, though, one might be tempted to say he was directly emulating Tarkovsky, a filmmaker known for his incredibly long, extended takes, paired with broad moments of silence.

"Solaris" is about a mysterious distant planet, orbited by a human-made space station. When people board the station, a strange psychic wave from the planet reaches into their minds and physically manifests their loved ones. In Soderbergh's version, George Clooney plays the lead character, and he finds himself interacting with his long-dead wife Rheya (Natasha McElhone). The duplicates, however, understand -- in a very vague sense -- that...

Clooney's latest directorial effort "The Boys in the Boat" has a 97% Rotten Tomatoes audience score but only 57% critic score. The disparity between critic and audience reviews reflects a trend in Clooney's directorial career of high audience scores and mixed critical reception. Despite the divided reviews, audiences praise the film for its true story, emotional moments, and strong performances.

George Clooney's latest directorial effort The Boys in the Boat has received an outstanding Rotten Tomatoes score of 97%. The celebrated Oscar-winning actor, best known for his iconic leading roles as Danny Ocean in the Ocean's trilogy (2001 - 2007) and Matt King in The Descendants (2011), is also an accomplished director. Clooney made his feature directorial debut with 2002's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind which he starred in alongside Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, and Sam Rockwell. Since then, he has directed a total of nine feature films, including 2023's The Boys in the Boat.

Pulp Fiction's Wolfe subplot gets spotlight in Brad Pitt & George Clooney's new comedy Wolfs. Wolfs flips Pulp Fiction's plot, starting with alive drug dealer & fixers. Brad Pitt & George Clooney reunite in zany, gunplay-filled fixer comedy Wolfs.

While Quentin Tarantinos sophomore effort is regarded as a modern classic, Brad Pitt and George Clooneys new movie Wolfs looks set to explore one of its under-utilized plot lines. Pulp Fiction is famous for its non-linear storytelling style, with director Quentin Tarantinos offbeat crime epic bouncing between numerous plot lines seemingly at random. This approach makes Pulp Fiction unique before its many imitators, creating a world that feels lived-in despite the limited screen time of its individual cast members. However, the experimental style also means many of Pulp Fictions subplots are left under-explored, something an upcoming crime comedy can address.

Brad Pitt and George Clooney are set to share the screen again...

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, has recently filed to legally drop Pitt’s surname from her name as she turns 18. Pitt and Jolie got together in 2004 and tied the knot in 2014. Parents to six children, the infamous divorce of the duo marked the end of nearly 10 years of togetherness.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Credit: 20th Century Studios

Among the six children — Maddox, Zahara, Shiloh, Pax, Knox, and Vivienne — Shiloh joined her siblings, who previously changed their names, particularly dropping Pitt’s surname. The report reflects the very relationship of the acclaimed actor with his children.

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Requested To Drop Her Father’s Name Shiloh Jolie shows off her dance moves / YouTube

As TMZ broke the news of Shiloh Jolie-Pitt legally requesting to change her name or to keep it simply Shiloh Jolie, it became quite clear that her relationship...

Clint Eastwood is arguably one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, along with having a highly successful acting career. Few actors have had such glorious directing careers and Ben Affleck and George Clooney are two names that come close to stature Eastwood built for himself in Hollywood.

Batman actor Ben Affleck frequently stars in films he directs (Credit: Warner Bros).

Ben Affleck and George Clooney have shared the honor of playing DC’s Batman on the big screen at different points in their career. However, when it comes to one world record, neither of the duo holds a candle in front of Eastwood. The veteran director holds one very unique Oscars record, which Affleck and Clooney will find hard to beat.

Actor-Director Clint Eastwood Holds One Very Unique Oscars Record

Clint Eastwood is known for his starring role in the Dollars trilogy and other popular Western films. However, later in his career,...

This Fall, Academy Award winning superstars George Clooney (Ocean's Eleven; Up in the Air; Gravity) and Brad Pitt (Fight Club; Bullet Train; Babylon) reunite for the first time in sixteen years for director Jon Watts' next film, the action-comedy Wolfs.

Sony Pictures Releasing and Apple Studios have launched the film's official trailer, which previews one of this fall's most exciting releases as the actors play a pair of fixers who find themselves partnered up on a job that gets wilder and wilder by the minute.

In the film, "Clooney plays a professional fixer hired to cover up a high profile crime. But when a second fixer (Pitt) shows up and the two “lone wolves” are forced to work together, they find their night spiraling out of control in ways that neither one of them expected."

Prior to Wolfs, the duo previously co-starred in Ocean's Eleven, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,...

In 2002, veteran actor George Clooney made his directorial debut with the film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. More than two decades later, it is widely considered to be among his better directorial efforts. At the time, there was even one critic who suggested that the film was so surprisingly well-made that it must have been directed by Clooneys frequent collaborator Steven Soderbergh. Clooney, as revealed in a 2020 profile for GQ, subsequently sent a slightly humorous letter to the writer of the review as a way of pushing back on this. While not the only time there has been a question of who directed a film, it is particularly funny to look back on this story now after the trajectory Clooneys directing efforts have taken. One wishes he would be mistaken more often for a talented director. In the case of his latest, the often well-acted yet superficial The Boys in the Boat,...

George Clooney, a Hollywood star with 8 pivotal films, showcases his versatility and evolution as an actor and director. Clooney's candid reflections on failures like Batman & Robin paved the way for a more refined acting career. Films like Out of Sight, Ocean's Eleven, and Syriana solidified Clooney's status as a respected and influential Hollywood icon.

George Clooney embodies the quintessential leading man, with eight significant movies in his filmography that have shaped the Hollywood star he is known as today. From his breakout role in ER as Dr. Doug Ross in the late 1990s to his more recent critically acclaimed performances, Clooney has consistently delivered charismatic and engaging portrayals that have captivated audiences worldwide. His versatility as an actor is evident in the wide range of genres he has tackled, from crime comedies to political thrillers, showcasing his ability to fully immerse himself in each character.

Clooney's work behind the...

George Clooney has been a Hollywood veteran with an astounding legacy. The actor also turned director with his 2002 directorial debut Confessions of a Dangerous Mind during one of the breaks while being involved in his celebrated Ocean’s trilogy. Previously, Clooney showered good wishes for his close friend Ben Affleck.

George Clooney in Ocean’s 8

Interestingly, both the actors played DC’s iconic frontline hero Batman and both have helmed several projects as directors. But Clooney believes Affleck as an actor deserves more credits and attention. Clooney also directed Affleck in his 2021 coming-of-age drama, The Tender Bar.

George Clooney Revealed Ben Affleck’s Underrated Role

Ben Affleck in The Tender Bar

George Clooney, who directed the Batman star Ben Affleck in The Tender Bar, has all the good reasons to believe that Affleck deserved much more attention for his role. Based on J. R. Moehringer’s book of the same name,...

George Clooney is one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood and his multitalented personality has earned him immense respect in the industry. In addition to being a successful actor. he is a brilliant filmmaker and has directed some wonderful films including Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Good Night, and Good Luck, The Ides of March, and most recently The Boys in the Boat.

George Clooney in The Ides of March

His adorable bond with his wife Amal Clooney has been captured by the media over the years. However, one dangerous incident that almost got him killed, led to his wife banning him from ever driving a motorcycle again in life.

George Clooney Was Banned from Riding Motorcycles After a Freaky Accident George Clooney was shooting Catch-22 when the accident happened

George Clooney is known in Hollywood for his dedication and love of filmmaking. But in 2018. he almost died while doing what he loved most.

Drew Barrymore is sharing what she learned from working with George Clooney!

During a new episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, the 48-year-old talk show host spoke with Callum Turner, who starred in The Boys in the Boat, which George directed.

The Charlie’s Angels actress recalled her experience working with the Ticket to Paradise actor on the 2002 film, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.

Keep reading to find out more…

“So, George Clooney,” Drew said. “As an actor, I loved working with him. He saved me from doing things that I don’t think were serving me as an actor.”

She remembered one of his helpful criticisms.

“He would say, ‘You never keep eye contact with people in a scene,’ ” Drew said on her show. “I’m like, ‘Well, ’cause it’s so intimate. Should we make out while we’re at it?’ Like, eye contact is insane.”

Drew has carried...

Sam Rockwell has been dancing to alleviate stress and shake off his nerves for almost 30 years. George Clooney allowed Rockwell to dance in a screen test for Confessions of a Dangerous Mind to help him calm down, and ended up using it. Rockwell is well-known for his fantastic and entertaining dance skills, as showcased in various projects like Charlie's Angels, Iron Man 2 and the miniseries Fosse/Verdon, but he is not a classically trained dancer.

Argylle's Sam Rockwell has been dancing his nerves away for almost 30 years. The actor’s reputation and proclivity for cutting a rug is well-documented and widely available all across social media. And it turns out that Rockwell’s love to gambol — not to be confused with gamble — through dance has helped the actor alleviate stress when it comes to performing. Rockwell revealed in an exclusive interview with ComicBook.com.

"Well, often, initially it's about shaking off the nerves.

Lily Gladstone has found her first role since becoming an Academy Award nominee.

The “Killers of the Flower Moon” actress, who recently made history as the first Native American woman nominated in the Best Actress Oscar category, is set to lead the adaptation of Yoko Ogawa’s sci-fi novel “Memory Police.” Oscar winner Charlie Kaufman wrote the script, with Reed Morano (an Emmy winner for her work on “The Handmaid’s Tale”) directing.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the casting, which IndieWire confirmed.

Director Morano and Margot Hand of Picture Films will produce, with Gladstone’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” director Martin Scorsese executive producing alongside novelist Yoko Ogawa. Along with her TV credits, Reed Morano’s past features include “Meadowland,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” and “The Rhythm Section.”

The novel takes place on an unnamed island where the people who live there are subject to collective amnesia. They...

George Clooney has "more fun" being behind the camera than in front of it.The 62-year-old Hollywood star made his directional debut with 2002's 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' and he's back in the director's chair for sports drama 'The Boys in the Boat' and has admitted he loves being in charge.He told 'Sky News': "It's more fun, you have a lot more control. I get to boss them around and I don't have to learn how to row."It's fun to come in in the morning and it's fun to write a screenplay and then have somebody build a set that you wrote, it really is."The 'Tickets to Paradise' actor admits he's fortunate to get to do the things he loves so late in his career.He said: "As you get older, you need to have other things to do."You can't just do one thing.

Despite earning the reputation as being one of, if not the most charismatic actor in the film industry, George Clooney’s work behind the camera has produced increasingly diminishing results. While he peaked with his impressive debut Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and his award-nominated biopic Good Night, and Good Luck, Clooney’s work as a filmmaker has continued to disappoint, as he’s failed to capture the same specificity that defined him as an actor. While he may be better suited to stick in front of the camera, Clooney proved himself as a filmmaker with his brilliant 2011 political thriller The Ides of March. With its incendiary depiction of a modern American Presidential election, The Ides of March indicated that Clooney could tackle the complexities of current events without sacrificing his film’s entertainment value.

In Steven Soderbergh's sexy 1998 crime thriller, George Clooney plays the world's smoothest bank robber, Jack Foley, a man so charming that he manages to rob a bank using nothing more than a yellow highlighter. Foley begins "Out of Sight" in prison, having been busted after someone snitched on him. He bonds with imprisoned compatriots -- notably, Albert Brooks -- and the two of them arrange for Jack to get a job upon his release. When released, however, Jack is double-crossed by the Brooks character, and he is ejected from the building with no job. The rejection leads Jack, in a fit of resentment, to commit the above-mentioned robbery. He is caught, and put right back in prison. 

Clooney, a handsome man sculpted out of hardened cologne, makes his yellow prison jumpsuits look downright dashing, while his silvering hair swoop and five o'clock shadow are impeccably maintained behind bars. Some...

For a while it seemed like George Clooney was his generation’s heir apparent to Cary Grant, a bona fide movie star whose limited range is rendered irrelevant by his irrepressible charisma. And then he started directing films and, at least out of the gate things seemed momentarily more interesting. His 2002 directorial debut, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, came on breezy but grounded, certainly the most approachable take on a Charlie Kaufman screenplay ever mounted. And 2005’s Good Night, and Good Luck, his tribute to the mandarin days of television news, was at least palpably committed to lionizing Eisenhower-era liberal resistance. In other words, he looked to become the heir apparent to Robert Redford, auteur.

It didn’t last. The title of Clooney’s The Monuments Men, just about sums it up. His obsession with what he perceives as the achievements and moral clarity of those (read: Americans) who lived...

George Clooney’s directing career has been one of both ecstasy and agony. His bold, respected spy dramedy debut (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) was immediately followed by the incredibly lauded (and incredibly great) period drama Good Night and Good Luck. What followed was a run of more mixed fare. One film was ambitious and flawed (The Midnight Sky), one overrated (The Ides of March), one undercooked (Leatherheads), and two really didn’t work. Then came The Tender Bar in 2021, a modest piece of work featuring nuanced performances from an impressive cast. It’s an old-fashioned picture starring Ben Affleck, who offers many old-fashioned, matinee idol charms, square jaw and all. Perhaps Clooney learned something about himself as a filmmaker with The Tender Bar: he may be at his best when breathing life into fact-based drama and not trying to be too cute about it.

Clooney’s back in...

George Clooney officially has eight directorial features under his belt, with the ninth, The Boys in the Boat, rowing towards a December 25th release. And it was with that movie that Clooney faced perhaps his most unique challenge yet: directing remotely.

It was during filming on The Boys in the Boat — which began in March 2022 (the project has been in development for quite some time) — that George Clooney caught Covid for the first time. But production couldn’t just stop and so he had to direct from an iPad. Speaking with People, Clooney remembered one scene with Callum Turner, who plays Olympian rower Joe Rantz. “I’m on an iPad hacking away from my bedroom…[co-producer Grant [Heslov] was sitting on the camera and they’d hold up the iPad to Cal and I’d go, ‘Ah, go fast.’ I’d rasp out ‘Faster’ whatever that was.” While this didn’t result in the best direction,...

Once upon a time, Roger Ebert held that "no movie featuring either Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role can be altogether bad." The Stanton-Walsh rule could be violated, as Ebert noted in his scathing review of the unfathomably awful "Wild Wild West," but you only did yourself a favor if you cast one of these gentlemen. The script could be dire and the direction poor, but an appearance from Stanton and/or Walsh was/is – we lost Stanton in 2017, but Walsh is still going strong at 88 years old — only ever a joyous occasion.

The Stanton-Walsh rule applies to other character actors, and I can't think of many performers who've given me more pleasure over the last few decades than Sam Rockwell. He first popped for me in Tom Dicillo's hugely underrated indie comedy "Box of Moonlight" as a ball of non-conformist energy who...

Chuck Barris, who hosted such gleefully trashy TV hits as The Gong Show and The $1.98 Beauty Show back in the 1970s, was an interesting man, to say the least. He once worked on American Bandstand. He wrote a song that made the Top 5 during the peak of Beatlemania. He created The Dating Game and The Newlywed Game in the ’60s. And the rumor, of course, was that Barris had been a CIA assassin at various times in different parts of the world. That claim was part of his autobiography, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, which George Clooney turned into a movie in 2002. Though Barris was still alive at the time (he died in 2017 at the age of 87), Clooney told us he never asked Barris whether the CIA claims were true. (Click on the media bar below to hear George Clooney) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/George-Cooney_Connfessions_of_a-Dangerous_Mind.

George Clooney could make a Chuck E. Cheese ad look urbane. But for all his directorial projects delving into the intricacies of Middle East geopolitics and journalistic ethics, his most watchable film to date is about a washed-up game show host. It so happens that his best film, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, is also his directorial debut.

The first line by our protagonist, Chuck Barris, sets the tone, a muttering Sam Rockwell declaring, “When you're young, your potential is infinite, you might do anything,” immediately amended to add that your potential has an expiration date. By the '80s, Barris certainly reached his low point professionally. If there is one believable part of this very implausible movie, it is his depression and self-loathing, Barris reinterpreting his life as a spoof of a John le Carré spy novel.

Clooney had sentimental reasons for signing o. The actor-turned-director had grown up on '70s game-show sets,...

Charlie Kaufman’s (animated) existential ode to overcoming fears is finally here.

“Orion and the Dark,” written by Kaufman and adapted from a YA novel, follows anxiety-ridden elementary schooler Orion (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) as he tries to cope with being afraid of the dark — which actually becomes a physical entity played by Paul Walter Hauser. The Dark whisks Orion away to a land filled with all of his fears, including clowns, fireworks, and ghouls. A “Monsters Inc.”-style movie, Orion befriends the things he is afraid of most, and conquers his anxiety.

Animator Sean Charmatz marks his feature directorial debut with the DreamWorks and Netflix film, based on Emma Yarlett’s novel of the same name. Variety previously reported that a Werner Herzog cameo could be in the works for the animated film.

Peter McCown produces the film with Walt Dohrn and Bonnie Arnold serving as executive producers. “Orion and the Dark...

Charlie Kaufman's work on the '90s sitcom Get a Life allowed him to explore absurdity and push the boundaries of acceptability in storytelling. The show's strange episodes and unconventional themes likely shaped his creative mind and love for the eclectic. Kaufman's work in television differs from his later film work in that it was more focused on absurdity for its own sake, whereas his present-day films are emotionally resonant and contain subtle hope.

Charlie Kaufman is known for a lot of things, but writing for sitcoms isn't one of them. In the realm of cinema, Charlie Kaufman is well-known for his focus on navigating the nebulous idea of human consciousness in his movies. His storytelling methods go far beyond the conventional, inviting audiences into a realm in which the boundaries between reality and imagination are blurred beyond recognition.

Kaufman has worked on a number of mind-boggling films throughout...

Iron Man would have been a very different film if it had starred Tom Cruise, and Marvel boss Kevin Feige has explained why that near-casting didn't pan out.

Per Time, an excerpt from the new book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios provides some fresh insight into Iron Man, the film that launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When the Iron Man rights were previously at 20th Century Fox in the 1990s, Cruise was in consideration for the role of Tony Stark. However, according to Feige in the book, "Cruise's asking fee at the time was more than even a profitable studio like Fox was willing to risk on an untested superhero property." Of course, this was many years before the MCU would become the global phenomenon that it is today, and superhero movies were still seen as a big gamble at the time, perhaps exacerbated by 1997's Batman & Robin...

An inspirational true story turned into a bestselling novel is about to make its way to the big screen. That tends to be the natural playbook for these sorts of dramas, but this one in particular comes loaded with an extra amount of star power. 

Based on author Daniel James Brown's book of the same name, "The Boys in the Boat" tells the well-documented events surrounding the 1936 Summer Olympics and the feats accomplished by the US men's rowing team from the University of Washington. As with other incredibly underdog stories, the stories of the individuals involved -- all of whom were working class athletes struggling to come out the other side of the Great Depression, almost rivals the magnitude of their achievements.

A few significant differences with "The Boys in the Boat," however, comes from its A-list director George Clooney and the historical backdrop of Nazi Germany hosting the...

MGM has released the trailer, first look images, and a behind the scenes feature for George Clooney's upcoming film The Boys in the Boat, based on a non-fiction novel about the 1936 University of Washington rowing team. The film focuses on a group of underdogs during the Great Depression as they compete for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, facing elite international rivals. George Clooney, known for his acting career, has established himself as a successful director with several critically acclaimed films, including Good Night, and Good Luck and The Midnight Sky.

MGM has released the first look images and behind the scenes feature for George Clooney's upcoming film The Boys in the Boat, based on the non-fiction novel by Daniel James Brown, which hits theaters December 25. Published in 2004 under the title The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Brown's book...

Exclusive: After a heated bidding war, Miramax has scored the television rights to the hugely popular Halloween franchise, which are controlled by Trancas International Films, run by Malek Akkad.

Miramax Television has signed a wide-ranging deal with Trancas to develop and co-produce a Halloween TV series, which also includes a first-look agreement on other television projects for the international marketplace.

The new Halloween series is envisioned to potentially launch a cinematic universe spanning film and television. Miramax’s Head of Global TV Marc Helwig will be overseeing the franchise creatively in close collaboration with Akkad.

Related: Halloween Movies Photo Gallery: Creepy Classics From ‘Psycho’ And ‘The Shining’ To ‘Scream’ And ‘Get Out’

The pact marks a new chapter in Miramax and Trancas’ partnership on the Halloween franchise. Trancas most recently produced the successful Halloween feature trilogy for Miramax and Blumhouse directed by David Gordon Green.

“We couldn’t be more...

Exclusive: In a major shakeup at Miramax, CEO Bill Block will exit the company this week, a move that will come as soon as Tuesday when his contract expires. It does not look like there was much if any negotiation on a new deal for Block, which raises questions of exactly which areas the multi-faceted company will lean into.

Block’s exit comes at a time when he has been a catalyst for a large amount of film business. Block had been appointed CEO in 2017.

Owned 51% by beIN, and 49% by Paramount Global, Miramax had transformed from the days when its value resided in the film library built back in the day by Bob and Harvey Weinstein. It has become a prolific generator of original projects, with some based on library IP. Back when Block was appointed, the company had $150 million in debt and a high overhead that was pared by...

Gettysburg is a captivating American Civil War documentary film narrated by Sam Rockwell and directed by Adrian Moat. It delves into the stories of eight individuals who experienced the war firsthand. The film received critical acclaim, earning 10 Emmy nominations and winning 5, including one for Outstanding Nonfiction Special. Its focus on individual experiences sets it apart from other Civil War movies. Gettysburg can be streamed without ads on History Vault with a subscription. For those looking to watch for free, it is available on The Roku Channel and Pluto TV with ads. The film can also be rented or purchased on Amazon.

Gettysburg is a captivating American Civil War documentary film, which has left viewers wondering where to watch this remarkable story. Directed by Adrian Moat, this historical film originally aired on the History Channel on Memorial Day in 2011. The film's executive producers are none other than Tony and Ridley Scott,...

Good Night And Good Luck Good Night And Good Luck, streaming for free on Itvx

ITV's free streaming service continues to serve up a selection of quality films, including this black and white dissection on 1950s journalism. It marked the second time George Clooney had sat in the director's chair for a feature after Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind and proved he was a force to be reckoned with, netting six Oscar nominations. The screenplay, written by Clooney and Grant Heslov, charts the real-life on-air clash between Senator Joseph McCarthy and early broadcast journalist Edward R Murrow (David Strathairn). Although a historical drama the film had plenty to say about the current affairs of the period in which it was made and arguably also reflects America's recent Trumpian moment. With its impeccably presented adult themes and strong performances from a heavy-weight ensemble cast including Patricia Clarkson, Robert Downey Jnr and Frank Langella.

Charlie Kaufman is receiving the honorary Heart of Sarajevo award at the Sarajevo Film Festival. The ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless’ mind screenwriter, 64, is getting the gong in recognition of his contribution to the art of filmmaking at the 29th annual event, which will run from 11 to 18 August. It will also hold an open-air screening of 2002’s ‘Adaptation’, also written by Kaufman and directed by his long-time collaborator Spike Jonze, 53. Jovan Marjanović, the festival’s director, said: “We are thrilled that, after 15 years, we are welcoming back to the (festival) one of the most significant, world-renowned screenwriters and directors, and honour him for his work and dedication to the art of filmmaking. “Charlie Kaufman is an extraordinary filmmaker whose films, though filled with biting humour, compel us to contemplate existential depths of the human experience.” Charlie was previously a guest of the festival in 2008 when he presented his directorial debut ‘Synecdoche,...

Screenwriter and director Charlie Kaufman will receive the honorary Heart of Sarajevo award at the 29th Sarajevo Film Festival, in recognition of his contribution to the art of filmmaking.

The festival will also hold an open-air screening of 2002’s “Adaptation,” which was written by Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze.

Jovan Marjanović, the festival’s director, said: “We are thrilled that, after 15 years, we are welcoming back to the [festival] one of the most significant, world-renowned screenwriters and directors, and honor him for his work and dedication to the art of filmmaking. Charlie Kaufman is an extraordinary filmmaker whose films, though filled with biting humor, compel us to contemplate existential depths of the human experience.”

Kaufman was previously a guest of the festival in 2008 when he presented his directorial debut “Synecdoche, New York.”

Kaufman’s writing career began on the early ‘90s cult classic sitcom “Get a Life,” and he spent...

Hollywood megastar George Clooney has come out in support of SAG-AFTRA and its 160,000-strong membership as the performers union takes to picket lines.

“This is an inflection point in our industry,” Clooney said in a short statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

“For our industry to survive that has to change. For actors, that journey starts now,” he added as the actors union goes on strike after failing to reach a new deal with studios and streamers.

SAG-AFTRA members join Writers Guild of America members, on strike since early May, in the first double strike in Hollywood since 1960, which looks to largely shut down the film and TV business.

Clooney in his statement added “actors and writers in large numbers have lost their ability to make a living.”

The Oscar-winning actor, director and producer broke through with his role in NBC’s hit TV series ER before appearing in such...

George Clooney movies have been some of the most prestigious in theaters over the last two decades. Clooney is also one of the most outspoken personalities in the entertainment world, and one of the highest-profile stars as well. His activism, on and off the screen, earns him widespread attention, and his marriage to human rights attorney Amal Alamuddin is often the subject of gossip in Hollywood trade publications and inner circles.

As an actor, Clooney is arguably the best example of one who rose to motion picture stardom after first earning fame on a television series, having portrayed maverick pediatrician Dr. Doug Ross in the first five seasons of ER. Between seasons, Clooney made a name for himself starring in several hit films before switching to big screen roles full-time with 2000's The Perfect Storm. Since then, Clooney has won two Oscars and four Golden Globes over his career, as...

Exclusive: Dav Patel is set to headline and executive produce The Key Man, a limited series telling the story of disgraced financier Arif Naqvi. Set in the Middle East, the project hails from Miramax Television. It is part of the company’s increased international focus, signaled by the hire three years ago of former NBCUniversal International Studios executive Marc Helwig — who has deep European TV industry ties — as Miramax’s Global Head of Television.

Marc Helwig

Mining the indie studio’s library of IP has been a big priority for Helwig and his team who have shepherded series projects based on such Miramax movies as The Gentlemen, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Gangs Of New York, Chocolat, The English Patient and Prêt-à-Porter, and have mounted a revival of Miramax TV’s first unscripted series Project Greenlight.

The filmmakers behind some of the movies are also involved in the TV adaptations,...

With Michael B. Jordan making his directorial debut with Creed III this weekend, we wanted to know what film by a first time Actor turned Director has been your favorite? Some came out of the gates with Oscar Glory (Kevin Costner/ Robert Redford) while others found a passion they haven’t looked back from (Ron Howard/ Sofia Coppola). If you don’t see your favorite listed, please let us know what (and who) it is in the comments section.

Update: I have rightly been called out for listing Braveheart as Mel Gibson’s first film when he actually directed a film prior to that called The Man Without a Face in 1993. So I guess the results are slightly skewed, but really, wasn’t Braveheart the first Mel Gibson directed film we all saw?!

Favorite Film by a First Time Actor Turned DirectorThat Thing You Do! (1996) (Tom Hanks)Ordinary People (1980) (Robert Redford)In a World…...