Leonard Maltin
Birthday: 1950-12-18 Place of Birth: New York City, New York, USA
Synopsis
Leonard Michael Maltin (born December 18, 1950) is an American film critic and film historian, as well as an author of several mainstream books on cinema, focusing on nostalgic, celebratory narratives. He is best known for his eponymous annual book of movie capsule reviews, Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide, which was published annually from 1969 to 2014. Description above from the Wikipedia article Leonard Maltin, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Acting
8 Winds
The film is a story about love, sacrifice, and hope set against an Arthouse noir milieu, where its sharks, vampires, and victims when a reclusive billionaire (Robert Davi), comedy club owner (Leona Paraminski) and over the hill filmmaker Charlie Nabis (Dan Coplan) are drawn into a deadly game of conspiracy and murder as a Russian Oligarch fights to control California's water supply.
The Méliès Mystery
A documentary that details the process of restoring 270 of the 520 lost films of pioneering director Georges Méliès, all orchestrated by a Franco-American collaboration between Lobster Films, the National Film Center, and the Library of Congress.
Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film
Fifty years after its release, the special effects makeup team behind Planet of the Apes reflect on making the iconic film.
Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace
Celebrating the splendor and grandeur of the great cinemas of the United States, built when movies were the acme of entertainment and the stories were larger than life, as were the venues designed to show them. The film also tracks the eventual decline of the palaces, through to today’s current preservation efforts. A tribute to America’s great art form and the great monuments created for audiences to enjoy them in.
Image Makers: The Adventures of America's Pioneer Cinematographers
Documentary following the history of America's first cinematographers.
Women He's Undressed
Hollywood stars, historical footage and stylized reenactments tell the story of costume designer Orry-Kelly, who ruled Tinseltown fashion for decades.
Fanarchy
Fanarchy explores the rise of fan culture and ways in which fans are threatening the Hollywood system by becoming a creative force in their own right. With affordable technology at their fingertips, fans are producing more new content per month than studios or networks combined. Whether it's an original idea or a personal spin on a favorite film or TV show, fans are taking the reins and blurring the line between amateur and professional. Written and directed by Halifax’s own Donna Davies, Fanarchy exposes the burgeoning media landscape and the issues that complicate it – copyright, intellectual property and the concept of originality in a remix culture.
Drew: The Man Behind the Poster
A documentary on legendary movie-poster artist Drew Struzan.
Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood
The history of Hollywood film from the medium's invention to the birth of the New Hollywood in 1970. (Taken from the imdb page)
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
This documentary focuses on 1939, considered to be Hollywood's greatest year, with film clips and insight into what made the year so special.
Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood
A look at the forces that shaped Pre-Code Hollywood and brought about the strict enforcement of the Hays Code in 1934.
Bloodsucking Cinema
The sound of flapping bat wings, an empty coffin, glistening fangs, tiny punctures on the neck, the sensual taste of blood, a blank reflection, fear of the cross, and death from daylight. These are the creatures of the night, and as legendary (but fictional) vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing exclaimed: "Gentlemen, we are dealing with the undead!" Perhaps the most enduring film genre of all time, vampire films continue to haunt us on the big screen. Why are we fascinated with the myth of these immortal souls? Could it be the living forever part, or perhaps the fact that they have an unearthly sexual attraction to both males and females? Whatever it is, audiences around the world can't seem to get enough of them.
American Scary
A fond remembrance of and tribute to the uniquely American institution of the horror movie host.
The Voice Behind the Mouse
Leonard Maltin talks about the history of Mickey Mouse's voice.
Divided Highway: The Story of 'They Drive by Night'
Documentary looking at the film classic, They Drive By Night
A Conversation with Fess Parker
“A Conversation with Fess Parker” (17:05) is another interview, edited almost exactly like the previous, where Maltin visits the man who played Davy Crockett at his winery in California. Memories of how he got the part, what it was like to make the series and the reaction from fans are all recalled by Parker. This is a low-key documentary, but a very nice inclusion for the set. Next we find A Conversation With Fess Parker. For this 17-minute and five-second piece, Maltin visits the actor at his vineyard and restaurant, and the two reminisce about the series. We learn factoids that relate to the production, Parker’s casting, his memories of the actors and Walt, and a mix of other elements in this decent little interview. In addition to the shots of Maltin and Parker, we see some behind the scenes footage as well as stills and clips from the series. Note that though the DVD’s case lists interview pieces with Buddy Ebsen, these don’t appear.
Tony Curtis on 'Some Like It Hot'
Leonard Maltin interviews Tony Curtis on his experience filming 'Some Like It Hot'.
Forgotten Silver
The life story of Colin McKenzie, a forgotten pioneer of international cinema who was born in rural New Zealand in 1888.
James Dean and Me
A documentary about James Dean. People who knew him or had worked with him reminisce.
Young Duke: Making Of A Movie Star
Join host Leonard Maltin as he explores the early life of John Wayne (born as Marion Michael Morrison) as a college football star. After a chance meeting with film legend John Ford, Wayne exchanged his cleats for spurs and a cowboy hat and the rest was movie history.
