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  • Acting Legend Donald Sutherland Dies Aged 88

    Donald Sutherland for Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'.
    Donald Sutherland for Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: Catching Fire’.

    Preview:

    • Donald Sutherland has died.
    • He was 88.
    • The actor will be remembered as a redoubtable performer and for roles both comedic and dramatic.

    Donald Sutherland, a man who established himself in the firmament of stalwart, accomplished actors, has died. He was 88.

    Sutherland was known for his distinctive voice and commanding screen presence. He worked with some of the most respected directors in the industry and left a lasting impact on the world of cinema and television.

    Related Article: Dabney Coleman, the Actor Who Specialized in Curmudgeons, Dies Aged 92

    Donald Sutherland: Early Life and Career

    Donald Sutherland in 'M*A*S*H.'
    Donald Sutherland in ‘M*A*S*H.’ Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

    Sutherland was born in St. John, Canada in 1935.

    As a child, he battled various illnesses, including polio, hepatitis, and rheumatic fever. Despite his health challenges, Sutherland pursued his education at the University of Toronto, where he earned dual degrees in engineering and drama. But once the acting bug bit, he studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art before landing roles in British TV shows and movies such as ‘The Avengers’ and ‘The Saint.’

    ‘Saint’ star Roger Moore recommended him to the producers of ‘The Dirty Dozen’, taking his movie career to the next level.

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    Donald Sutherland: Film Work

    Kevin Costner and Donald Sutherland in 'JFK.'
    (L to R) Kevin Costner and Donald Sutherland in ‘JFK.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

    The success of ‘The Dirty Dozen’ led to his iconic role as Hawkeye Pierce in the critically acclaimed ‘M*A*S*H’ in 1970, which cemented his status as a leading man. Throughout his career, Sutherland has showcased his versatility by taking on diverse roles in films such as 1971’s ‘Klute’, where his work and relationship with Jane Fonda sparked his activism, horror ‘Don’t Look Now’ (famous –– or perhaps infamous –– for the speculation of the reality of his sex scene with co-star Julie Christie), ‘Ordinary People’, ‘JFK’ ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘The Italian Job‘ (2003) and the 1978 version of ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’.

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    More recently, he garnered attention and a new generation of fans for his portrayal of the villainous President Snow in the ‘Hunger Games’ movies.

    Sutherland scored Golden Globes and Emmys for his TV work, and while he was never nominated for an Oscar, he did receive an Honorary Oscar in 2017.

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    Donald Sutherland Dies: Son Kiefer Sutherland’s Statement

    Kiefer Sutherland in season 1 of '24'.
    Kiefer Sutherland in season 1 of ’24’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    Sutherland had five children: sons Kiefer, Roeg, Rossif and Angus, a daughter, Rachel.

    Kiefer is the best known among them, since he followed in his father’s performing footsteps. The duo starred together in projects several times throughout the years, including the movies ‘Max Dugan Returns’, ‘Forsaken’ and ‘A Time to Kill’.

    Here’s what the younger Sutherland had to say about his father’s passing:

    “With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away. I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived.”

    Sutherland was married three times, firstly to Lois Hardwick, from 1959 to 1966. His second, to actress Shirley Douglas, spanned 1966 to 1971 and produced Kiefer and Rachel. He’s survived by his third wife, Canadian actress Francine Racette, with whom he had Roeg, Rossif and Angus.

    Donald Sutherland as Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2.'
    Donald Sutherland as Coriolanus Snow in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.’ Photo: Lionsgate.

    Donald Sutherland Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Donald Sutherland Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘Ghostbusters’ Director Ivan Reitman Dies at 75

    (L to R) Jason Reitman and Ivan Reitman at Premiere of 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife.' Photo Courtesy of Reuters.
    (L to R) Jason Reitman and Ivan Reitman at Premiere of ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife.’ Photo Courtesy of Reuters.

    Ivan Reitman, who forever seared his name into the pantheon of cinematic comedy by producing and directing 1984’s ‘Ghostbusters’ has died. He was 75.

    Born in 1946, in Komárno, Czechoslovakia, Reitman was the son of survivors – his mother made it out of concentration camp Auschwitz alive, and his father fought in the Czech resistance. The family escaped the country in 1950 as the Communist regime took hold, arriving in the States and then to Toronto, where Reitman was raised.

    Attending McMaster University in Hamilton, Reitman began the early days of a successful film career by producing and directing shorts, studying alongside a cadre of performers who would go on to be big names in movies and TV, and especially in Canadian comedy series SCTV, including Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Andrea Martin, and Rick Moranis. On his return to Toronto, Reitman was hired to produce a comedy show for a local TV station and hired Dan Aykroyd, who would go on to become a lifelong friend and creative colleague.

    On the movie front, Reitman started in horror, but always with a mix of comedy, his most notable initial effort being ‘Cannibal Girls’, which starred Levy and Martin. Also on the terror front, he became an influential supporter of other directors’ work, producing David Cronenberg’s ‘Shivers’ and ‘Rabid’.

    Yet comedy would end up the defining genre of Reitman’s career, including producing ‘Animal House’, which launched several careers. He also had a keen eye for anarchic, creative talent in actors, working with Bill Murray on films including ‘Meatballs’ and ‘Stripes’ and then on the movie for which he’ll best be remembered: ‘Ghostbusters’.

    'Ghostbusters.' Photo Credit: Columbia / The Kobal Collection.
    (L to R) Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis in ‘Ghostbusters.’ Photo Credit: Columbia / The Kobal Collection.

    Originally written by Aykroyd as a sprawling, expensive special effects adventure, Reitman realized the potential of the concept and brought in Harold Ramis, who had co-written ‘Animal House’, ‘Stripes’; and ‘Meatballs’, among others to work on honing it with Aykroyd. They, along with Murray and Ernie Hudson starred in the film, which remains a high watermark in comedy movies.

    A sequel, 1989’s ‘Ghostbusters II’, couldn’t capture the same magic, but helped continue the franchise with which Reitman was associated until his death.

    Just that movie on his resume would be enough to qualify him for the directing/producing hall of fame, but Reitman also made (or helped make) the likes of ‘Dave,’ ‘Beethoven’, ‘Evolution’, ‘Twins,’ ‘Junior’, ‘Kindergarten Cop’, ‘Private Parts’, ‘Road Trip’ and ‘Draft Day’, among others.

    Reitman leaves behind a cinematic legacy not just his own, but that of his family – his wife, Geneviève Robert is an actress and director, son Jason is the Oscar-nominated writer and director of films including ‘Juno’, ‘Up in the Air’ and ‘Thank You for Smoking,’ and who brought the ‘Ghostbusters’ story roaring back to our screens last year with ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’. Eldest daughter Catherine is a writer and actor who created Netflix comedy series ‘Workin’ Moms’, while youngest Caroline is an actress and musician.

    Jason took to twitter to pay tribute to his father:

  • 13 Great Movies About Getting Absolutely Sloshed

    13 Great Movies About Getting Absolutely Sloshed

    Netflix

    With the Amy Poehler-directed comedy “Wine Country” hitting Netflix Friday, we thought it would be an excellent time to toast some of our favorite movies about people who like to indulge just a little too much.

    Marvel

    “Iron Man 2” (2010)
    Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) isn’t usually known for his moderation in anything, so when he throws an epic bash at his Malibu pad, we learn a few things. 1) He can pee in the suit. (Yay?) 2) The best food to combat hangovers if you’re a superhero is clearly donuts.

    Marvel

    “Thor” (2011)
    Is there a movie where Thor (Chris Hemsworth) isn’t pounding beers? He can usually handle his own, but, alas, mere mortal Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) doesn’t have quite the same heroic metabolism. Of course, Thor really (ahem) ups his drinking game in “Avenger: Endgame.”

    Orion

    “Arthur” (1981)
    Speaking of millionaires who like to bend the elbow, Tony Stark has nothing on Arthur Bach (Dudley Moore). Perpetually drunk, he’s got to rely on his long-suffering butler (John Gielgud) for everything. Including not drowning in the tub.

    Fox Searchlight

    “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” (2018)
    A struggling, misanthropic writer (Melissa McCarthy) and her down-on-his-luck friend (Richard E. Grant) become drinking buddies and partners in crime in this based-on-a-true-story drama. They both (deservedly) scored Oscar nominations.

    Handmade Films

    “Withnail and I” (1987)
    In this brilliantly funny British cult film, Withnail (Richard E. Grant) and “I” (Paul McGann) are out-of-work actors in ’60s London. When they go on holiday in the country “by mistake,” the local tearoom will never be the same. They barge in, already drunk, and demand “the finest wines known to humanity.” Grant’s Can You Ever Forgive Me?” character was  a joyous update on the gloriously shameless Withnail, who’s such a lush he’ll drink anything — even lighter fluid!

    “My Favorite Year” (1982)
    Who else but legendary real-life drinker Peter O’Toole could play swashbuckling matinee idol Alan Swann, whose career (and liver) have seen better days? A comedian (Mark Linn-Baker) has got to keep him somewhat sober to appear on his show. Shenanigans naturally ensue, including horse-napping, chandelier swinging, and the crowd going wild.

    “Get Him to the Greek” (2010)
    Essentially the same premise as “My Favorite Year,” but with an out-of-control rock star, a big concert, and a variety of illegal drugs. In one of the funniest scenes, record label talent scout Aaron (Jonah Hill) makes sure Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) isn’t smashed during a live “Today” interview by chugging all his whiskey and bogarting his blunt. Aldous is fine, but a seeing-double Aaron doesn’t make the best impression on Meredith Vieira.

    “Sideways” (2004)
    The best Oscar-nominated comedy/drama about an author (Paul Giamatti) and an actor (Thomas Haden Church) whose wild weekend in Napa includes fleeing from ostriches and Giamatti chugging the entire slush bucket at a winery. But, thankfully, absolutely no Merlot.

    Warner Bros.

    “The Hangover” (2009)
    When you wake up to a chicken, a tiger and a baby in your hotel room, you know you’ve really painted the town. In this comedy that launched two sequels, four friends’ Vegas bachelor party is all kinds of out of control. To be fair, it wasn’t just the booze. Thanks, Alan (Zach Galifianakis) for slipping roofies in everyone’s drink, thus ensuring no one remembers what the hell happened the night before.

    American Zoetrope

    “Barfly” (1987)
    Mickey Rourke stars as Henry Chinaski, a character who closely resembles noted writer (and drinker) Charles Bukowski, who created him. Henry and fellow alcoholic Wanda (Faye Dunaway) start a tortured romance, which is as comic as it is doomed. Rourke’s “My friennnnnzz” toast scene is legendary.

    Sony Pictures

    “Grabbers” (2012)
    The only way to avoid getting eaten by voracious sea creatures (whose tentacles can reach you even on land)? Staying perpetually drunk! This “Tremors“-esque Irish horror comedy is a hoot.

    Neon

    “Colossal” (2017)
    After a bad breakup, unemployed party girl Gloria (Anne Hathaway) leaves New York City to return to the town where she grew up. And promptly gets a job at an old friend’s bar (unwise) and continues drinking until she blacks out. When she’s out cold, a Godzilla-esque monster terrorizes the city of Seoul. It couldn’t be related… could it? And certainly wouldn’t be a metaphor for the beast inside of us when we drink.

    Universal Pictures

    “Animal House” (1978)
    We don’t advise chugging an entire bottle of Jack Daniels in one go, but where would this — and all college comedies from “Old School” to “Neighbors” — be if Bluto (John Belushi) and his beer-loving buddies hadn’t pounded the booze quite so hard?