Petro Vlahos, an unheralded genius of modern filmmaking, died yesterday at age 96. Though not a household name in special effects like James Cameron, Peter Jackson, or Michael Bay, Vlahos laid the foundation for all future filmmakers. Vlahos invented bluescreen (“chroma key”) technology, first used in 1940 for The Thief of Bagdad and still used […]
Continue readingCategory Archives: Obituaries
Remembering — and maybe introducing — Nagisa Oshima
Japanese director Nagisa Oshima died yesterday following long-term stroke complications. Oshima may not be the most well-known director outside of Japan, but he leaves behind an award-winning legacy. Oshima’s films dealt with a wide range of subjects, typically set during wartime Japan and (controversially) involving explicit sexuality. This style and thematic content earned him a […]
Continue readingMichael Clarke Duncan dies at 54
Over the weekend, actor Michael Clarke Duncan died from complications following cardiac arrest. Duncan was a towering presence in film, and although he died at a shockingly young age and appeared in only a few big movies, his impact was powerful and is already missed by fans around the world. His performance in The Green […]
Continue readingDirector Tony Scott dies
Film director Tony Scott committed suicide yesterday at age 68. While he was never an arthouse institution and didn’t have critical weight, Scott’s movies were immensely popular and changed the direction of big-action blockbusters. Perhaps most notably, Scott was sort of a Hollywood kingmaker, directing films that were massively successful game-changers for Jerry Bruckheimer and […]
Continue readingComposer Marvin Hamlisch dies
Prolific composer Marvin Hamlisch died this Monday. Hamlisch was a media legend who won every conceivable award for his music – including an Oscar, Grammy, Tony, Emmy, Golden Globe, and the Pulitzer Prize for Music. His accomplishments are staggering; even if you don’t know his name, you may have heard pieces from one of his […]
Continue readingFilmmaker Chris Marker dies at 91
Chris Marker, the groundbreaking French filmmaker and critic, died yesterday at age 91 — on his birthday, nonetheless. Marker’s multimedia art pushed the boundaries of its formats, from his unconventional documentary Sans Soleil to his critical essay writing and experiments with interactive media. Celebrate Marker’s work by visiting his films in our collection: A.K. (supplemental) […]
Continue readingHollywood star Jane Russell dies at 89
Former Hollywood actress and sex symbol, Jane Russell has died at the age of 89. Read more.Obituary: Jane Russell Come to Media Services and check out the following Jane Russell classics from our Home Use Collection.Gentlemen Prefer Blondes – HU DVD 244His Kind of Woman – HU DVD 2409
Continue readingObit: Bruno S. , 78, famed for Werner Herzog’s The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser; Stroszek
Not that I knew he had still been alive as he’d clearly lived a rough life, but it’s still sad news to hear of the passing of Bruno S (proper name: Bruno Schleinstein). His natural and naive demeanor gave him a powerful screen presence. Both of his films are available in Media Services and are […]
Continue readingDennis Hopper, you will be missed.
From Giant to Easy Rider to Blue Velvet, Dennis Hopper was the consummate character who usually stole the show. His intensity was used to evoke fear, humor, and many times, obsession and insanity. He was only occasionally cast as something less than a lunatic. If you aren’t fully aware of the Hopper oeuvre, add these […]
Continue readingCorin Redgrave dies at 70.
Brother of Vanessa & Lynn Redgrave, this well-regarded actor passed away yesterday. Redgrave is best known for his role in Four Weddings and a Funeral and Oscar winner, A Man for All Seasons. We have several of his films in our collection in Media Services — all well worth seeing. I’m particularly curious about a […]
Continue reading