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  • 25 Best Movies of All Time Set In Los Angeles

    25 Best Movies of All Time Set In Los Angeles

    A scene from 1988's 'Die Hard'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    A scene from 1988’s ‘Die Hard’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Los Angeles, also known as the “City of Angeles’, has appeared in many classic movies.

    From comedies like ‘Swingers‘ and ‘Fletch‘, to heist movies like ‘Den of Thieves‘ or ‘Heat‘, noir films such as ‘Chinatown‘ and ”The Long Goodbye‘, futuristic sci-fi like ‘Blade Runner‘ or ‘They Live‘, and even holiday films such as ‘Die Hard‘ (Yes! ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie!), LA has a long history of being featured in Hollywood movies.

    The latest film to be set in Los Angeles is ‘Crime 101‘, which stars Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry, and opens in theaters on February 13th.

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    In honor of the new film and Tinseltown, Moviefone is counting down the top 25 movies of all time that are set in Los Angeles.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry Talk New Crime Thriller ‘Crime 101’

    25. ‘They Live‘ (1988)

    (L to R) Roddy Piper and Keith David in 'They Live'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Roddy Piper and Keith David in ‘They Live’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    A lone drifter (Roddy Piper) stumbles upon a unique pair of sunglasses that reveal aliens are systematically gaining control of the Earth by masquerading as humans and lulling the public into submission.

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    24. ‘Swingers‘ (1996)

    After 6 years together, Mike’s (Jon Favreau) girlfriend leaves him, so he travels to LA to be a star. Six months on, he’s still not doing very well— so a few of his friends try to reconnect him to the social scene and hopefully help him forget his failed relationship.

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    23. ‘Mulholland Drive‘ (2001)

    Blonde Betty Elms (Naomi Watts) has only just arrived in Hollywood to become a movie star when she meets an enigmatic brunette with amnesia (Laura Harring). Meanwhile, as the two set off to solve the second woman’s identity, filmmaker Adam Kesher (Justin Theroux) runs into ominous trouble while casting his latest project.

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    22. ‘Hail, Caesar!‘ (2016)

    When a Hollywood star (George Clooney) mysteriously disappears in the middle of filming, the studio sends their fixer (Josh Brolin) to get him back.

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    21. ‘The 40 Year Old Virgin‘ (2005)

    Andy Stitzer (Steve Carell) has a pleasant life with a nice apartment and a job stamping invoices at an electronics store. But at age 40, there’s one thing Andy hasn’t done, and it’s really bothering his sex-obsessed male co-workers: Andy is still a virgin. Determined to help Andy, the guys make it their mission to de-virginize him. But it all seems hopeless until Andy meets small business owner Trish (Catherine Keener), a single mom.

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    20. ‘La La Land‘ (2016)

    (L to R) Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in 'La La Land'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in ‘La La Land’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    Mia (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, serves lattes to movie stars in between auditions and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling), a jazz musician, scrapes by playing cocktail party gigs in dingy bars, but as success mounts they are faced with decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain in each other threaten to rip them apart.

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    19. ‘Yes Man‘ (2008)

    Carl Allen (Jim Carrey), a guy whose life is going nowhere, signs up for a self-help program based on one simple covenant: say yes to everything…and anything.

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    18. ‘Collateral‘ (2004)

    Cab driver Max (Jamie Foxx) picks up a man (Tom Cruise) who offers him $600 to drive him around. But the promise of easy money sours when Max realizes his fare is an assassin.

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    17. ‘Blade Runner‘ (1982)

    In the smog-choked dystopian Los Angeles of 2019, blade runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is called out of retirement to terminate a quartet of replicants who have escaped to Earth seeking their creator for a way to extend their short life spans.

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    16. ‘L.A. Story‘ (1991)

    With the help of a talking freeway billboard, a “wacky weatherman” (Steve Martin) tries to win the heart of an English newspaper reporter (Victoria Tennant), who is struggling to make sense of the strange world of early-90s Los Angeles.

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    15. ‘Nightcrawler‘ (2014)

    (L to R) Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo in 'They Live'. Photo: Open Road Films.
    (L to R) Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo in ‘They Live’. Photo: Open Road Films.

    When Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal), desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina (Rene Russo), a TV-news veteran.

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    14. ‘The Long Goodbye‘ (1973)

    In 1970s Hollywood, Detective Philip Marlowe (Elliot Gould) tries to help a friend who is accused of murdering his wife.

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    13. ‘Training Day‘ (2001)

    On his first day on the job as a narcotics officer, a rookie cop (Ethan Hawke) works with a rogue detective (Denzel Washington) who isn’t what he appears.

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    12. ‘Boyz n the Hood‘ (1991)

    In the middle of the Los Angeles ghetto, drugs, robberies and shootings dominate everyday life. During these times, Furious tries to raise his son Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) to be a decent person. Tre’s friends, on the other hand, have little regard for the law and drag the entire neighborhood into a street war…

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    11. ‘Fletch‘ (1985)

    When investigative reporter Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher (Chevy Chase) goes undercover to write a piece on the drug trade at a local beach, he’s approached by wealthy businessman Alan Stanwyk (Tim Matheson), who offers him $50,000 to murder him. With sarcastic wit and a knack for disguises, Fletch sets out to uncover Stanwyk’s story.

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    10. ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang‘ (2005)

    (L to R) Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. in 'Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.' Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. in ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.’ Photo: Warner Bros.

    A petty thief posing as an actor (Robert Downey Jr.) is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl (Michelle Monaghan) and a detective (Val Kilmer) who’s been training him for his upcoming role.

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    9. ‘L.A. Confidential‘ (1997)

    Three detectives (Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe and Kevin Spacey) in the corrupt and brutal L.A. police force of the 1950s use differing methods to uncover a conspiracy behind the shotgun slayings of the patrons at an all-night diner.

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    8. ‘The Big Lebowski‘ (1998)

    Jeffrey ‘The Dude’ Lebowski (Jeff Bridges), a Los Angeles slacker who only wants to bowl and drink White Russians, is mistaken for another Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston), a wheelchair-bound millionaire, and finds himself dragged into a strange series of events involving nihilists, adult film producers, ferrets, errant toes, and large sums of money.

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    7. ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood‘ (2019)

    Los Angeles, 1969. TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), a struggling actor specializing in westerns, and stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt), his best friend, try to survive in a constantly changing movie industry. Dalton is the neighbor of the young and promising actress and model Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), who has just married the prestigious Polish director Roman Polanski (Rafał Zawierucha).

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    6. ‘Beverly Hills Cop‘ (1984)

    Fast-talking, quick-thinking Detroit street cop Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) has bent more than a few rules and regs in his time, but when his best friend (James Russo) is murdered, he heads to sunny Beverly Hills to work the case like only he can.

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    5. ‘Den of Thieves‘ (2018)

    (L to R) Maurice Compte and Gerard Butler in 'Den of Thieves'. Photo: STXfilms.
    (L to R) Maurice Compte and Gerard Butler in ‘Den of Thieves’. Photo: STXfilms.

    A gritty crime saga which follows the lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff’s Dept. and the state’s most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank.

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    4. ‘Die Hard‘ (1988)

    NYPD cop John McClane’s (Bruce Willis) plan to reconcile with his estranged wife is thrown for a serious loop when, minutes after he arrives at her offices Christmas Party, the entire building is overtaken by a group of terrorists. With little help from the LAPD, wisecracking McClane sets out to single-handedly rescue the hostages and bring the bad guys down.

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    3. ‘Drive‘ (2011)

    Driver (Ryan Gosling) is a skilled Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Though he projects an icy exterior, lately he’s been warming up to a pretty neighbor named Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her young son, Benicio (Kaden Leos). When Irene’s husband (Oscar Isaac) gets out of jail, he enlists Driver’s help in a million-dollar heist. The job goes horribly wrong, and Driver must risk his life to protect Irene and Benicio from the vengeful masterminds behind the robbery.

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    2. ‘Chinatown‘ (1974)

    Private eye Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) lives off of the murky moral climate of sunbaked, pre-World War II Southern California. Hired by a beautiful socialite (Faye Dunaway) to investigate her husband’s (Darrell Zwerling) extra-marital affair, Gittes is swept into a maelstrom of double dealings and deadly deceits, uncovering a web of personal and political scandals that come crashing together.

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    1. ‘Heat’ (1995)

    (L to R) Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer in 1995's 'Heat.'
    (L to R) Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer in 1995’s ‘Heat.’

    Obsessive master thief Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) leads a top-notch crew on various daring heists throughout Los Angeles while determined detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) pursues him without rest. Each man recognizes and respects the ability and the dedication of the other even though they are aware their cat-and-mouse game may end in violence.

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  • ‘Cheers’ Actor George Wendt Dies Aged 76

    George Wendt in 'Cheers'. Photo: NBC.
    George Wendt in ‘Cheers’. Photo: NBC.

    Preview:

    • George Wendt has died aged 76.
    • He’s most famous for playing ‘Cheers’ barfly Norm.
    • The actor also appeared in the likes of ‘Forever Young’ and ‘Fletch.’

    George Wendt, who will be forever identified as one of the most beloved sitcom characters of all time –– barfly Norm Peterson in ‘Cheers,’ has died.

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    His family confirmed his passing with the following statement via the actor’s representation:

    “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”

    Related Article: Actor Joe Don Baker, Known for ‘Walking Tall,’ Dies at the Age of 89

    George Wendt: Early Life

    (L to R) Chris Farley, Robert Smigel, Mike Myers and George Wendt on 'Saturday Night Live'. Photo: Broadway Video.
    (L to R) Chris Farley, Robert Smigel, Mike Myers and George Wendt on ‘Saturday Night Live’. Photo: Broadway Video.

    Born in October Chicago 1948 and raised on the South Side, George Robert Wendt Jr. was one of nine kids.

    His father owned a real estate agency that his dad had founded, and his mother, Loretta, was a housewife and longtime volunteer and fundraiser for Little Company of Mary Hospital.

    Wendt attended Campion High School, a Jesuit boarding school for boys in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and then Notre Dame — until he was expelled as a junior.

    This is what he told David Letterman about it in 1990:

    “I was a very poor student. I got kicked out of Notre Dame. I’m very proud to mention my grade-point average that got me booted out: zero-point-zero-zero. I just hung out and didn’t go to classes.”

    For a time, Wendt worked for his father, excelling in “getting coffee for the secretaries,” before earning a B.A. in economics in 1971 from another Jesuit school, Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri. But then he hung out in Europe for the better part of three years.

    For Wendt, his true calling was in performing: he got his start in the 1970s with Second City, the famed improvisational comedy troupe that was based in his hometown.

    Following his success, he popped up on ‘Saturday Night Live’ as Bob Swerski, one of the “superfans” who gathered at Coach Mike Ditka’s restaurant in the Windy City to watch “Da Bears.”

    Small roles in movies such as ‘My Bodyguard’ and ‘Somewhere in Time’ helped get him on screen, but it was on TV where he truly shined.

    George Wendt: TV Roles

    The cast of 'Cheers'. Photo: NBC.
    The cast of ‘Cheers’. Photo: NBC.

    There is only one place to start when it comes to Wendt’s small screen legacy: ‘Cheers.’

    Following a small role as an exterminator on ‘Taxi’ –– created and run by the team who would then bring ‘Cheers’ to screens –– his guy-next-door persona and easy, charismatic delivery won him appreciation from fans and castmates as he played the lovable lug Norm, an accountant by trade, on every installment the sitcom during its 1982-93 run.

    He received Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for six consecutive years.

    This is what he told The Washington Post about the day-to-day work of filming and the downside to his barfly role:

    “There I was slamming those down for a whole day. It not only tastes disgusting, I was afraid of keeling over from high blood pressure. Then I got the knack. I didn’t have to put all those brews away. It only mattered when the camera was pointing my way. It took a couple of years, but now I watch the camera. That’s how I make my money. That’s acting.”

    Norm became a pop culture favorite, and Wendt showed up as the character over the years on ‘St. Elsewhere,’ ‘Wings,’ ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Family Guy,’ and Cheers’ spin-offs ‘Frasier’ and ‘The Tortellis.’

    When ‘Cheers’ ended its run, NBC considered a spinoff featuring Wendt and Ratzenberger as bar buddies, but the show never materialized. Instead, he starred for CBS in 1995 in ‘The George Wendt Show,’ playing the co-owner of a Wisconsin garage and co-host of a call-in radio show about car repair, but the comedy lasted just six episodes.

    Aside from his live action appearances, he had roles in several more TV series including ‘Columbo,’ ‘Becker,’ ‘Outside Providence,’ and appeared as himself on ‘Seinfeld.’

    George Wendt: Movie Roles

    George Wendt in 'Fletch'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    George Wendt in ‘Fletch’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    While Wendt’s film career was much less full than his busy TV appearances, he had a few notable roles.

    His movies included ‘Dreamscape’, ‘House,’ ‘Fletch,’ ‘Gung Ho,’  ‘Guilty by Suspicion,’ ‘Forever Young’ and ‘Spice World.’

    Wendt is survived by his wife, actress Bernadette Birkett, whom he married in July 1978 — they met at Second City, and she was the unseen, offscreen voice of Norm’s wife, Vera, on ‘Cheers’ — his children, Hilary, Joe and Daniel and his stepchildren, Joshua and Andrew.

    Jason Sudeikis in 'Ted Lasso,' now streaming on Apple TV+.
    Jason Sudeikis in ‘Ted Lasso,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

    And, on a note of trivia: nephew (and ‘Ted Lasso’ co-creator/star) Jason Sudeikis, who is the son of one of Wendt’s sisters.

    This is how National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson summed him up in a statement:

    “From his early days with The Second City to his iconic role as Norm on Cheers, George Wendt’s work showcased how comedy can create indelible characters that feel like family. His work is proudly featured in the National Comedy Center, and we honor his legacy and the joy he brought to generations of fans.”

    (L to R) Jim Belushi, Kevin Nealon, Dan Aykroyd, George Wendt, and Jon Lovitz in 'A History of the World in Six Glasses'. Photo: Fox Nation.
    (L to R) Jim Belushi, Kevin Nealon, Dan Aykroyd, George Wendt, and Jon Lovitz in ‘A History of the World in Six Glasses’. Photo: Fox Nation.

    George Wendt Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy George Wendt TV Shows and Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘Walking Tall’ Actor Joe Don Baker Dies Aged 89

    Joe Don Baker in 1973's 'Walking Tall'. Photo: Cinerama Releasing Corporation.
    Joe Don Baker in 1973’s ‘Walking Tall’. Photo: Cinerama Releasing Corporation.

    Preview:

    • Joe Don Baker has died at the age of 89.
    • He enjoyed a long career playing characters on both sides of the law.
    • The actor may be best remembered for his role in 1973’s ‘Walking Tall’

    Joe Don Baker, a burly, charismatic actor, died, according to a report from his family, on May 7th.

    As a performer, he enjoyed a long and successful career, though it could well be defined by one standout –– a very violent, yet righteous lawman.

    In 1973’s ‘Walking Tall,’ he was Sheriff Buford Pusser, who spoke his mind and carried a big stick to mete out his particular brand of justice.

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    Yet there was far more to Baker’s life and work than just being a tough guy. As his obituary reads, he was “a beacon of kindness and generosity. His intellectual curiosity made him a voracious reader, inspiring a great love of nature and animals, particularly cats. Throughout his life, Joe Don touched many lives with his warmth and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.”

    Related Article: Veteran Actor and Oscar Winner Gene Hackman Found Dead at 95

    Joe Don Baker: Early Life

    Joe Don Baker in 'Charley Varrick'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Joe Don Baker in ‘Charley Varrick’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Born on February 12, 1936, in Groesbeck, Texas, Baker’s early life was marked by the loss of his mother at the age of 12, after which he was raised by his aunt. He attended North Texas State College, where he joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and graduated in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In 1994 he received the Distinguished Alumni award from his college, now renamed University of North Texas.

    Tellingly, for the frame that would help define his later movie presence, he played linebacker on the football team, graduating in 1958 with a degree in business administration.

    Despite that accreditation, he followed a familiar path at the time, and joined the U.S. Army for a two-year stint, before heading to New York to pursue acting at the Actors Studio.

    Joe Don Baker: TV Roles

    Joe Don Baker in 1973's 'Walking Tall'. Photo: Cinerama Releasing Corporation.
    Joe Don Baker in 1973’s ‘Walking Tall’. Photo: Cinerama Releasing Corporation.

    In 1963 and 1964, Baker appeared on Broadway in Actors Studio productions of ‘Marathon ’33’ opposite Julie Harris and ‘Blues for Mister Charlie,’ written by James Baldwin and directed by Burgess Meredith.

    He came to Los Angeles and made it to the screen, finding work on a wealth of TV series including ‘The Mod Squad,’ ‘Gunsmoke,’ ‘Bonanza,’ ‘Honey West,’ ‘Mission: Impossible,’ ‘Ironside,’ ‘The Streets of San Francisco,’ and more recently, ‘The Cleaner’ and what might be his most notable small screen role, that of CIA man Darius Jedburgh in the six-hour BBC miniseries ‘Edge of Darkness,’ directed by Martin Campbell.

    He clearly enjoyed the role, commenting later about it:

    “I could have done that all my life, I think, or at least for years and been happy.”

    Joe Don Baker: Movie Roles

    Joe Don Baker as Brad Whitaker in 'The Living Daylights'. Photo: United Artists.
    Joe Don Baker as Brad Whitaker in ‘The Living Daylights’. Photo: United Artists.

    In amongst his TV work, Baker began to score movie roles, including an uncredited big screen debut as a fixer in ‘Cool Hand Luke’ and as Slater in ‘Guns of the Magnificent Seven.’

    As mentioned above, Baker’s most memorable role will forever be that of former professional wrestler Sheriff Pusser in ‘Walking Tall’ — based on a real-life sheriff who cleaned up crime in his Tennessee town. In the part, his character survives a series of beatings; represents himself in court and wins; gets elected sheriff; sees his wife murdered; and wields clubs carved from oak trees to beat up vicious gamblers and moonshiners.

    Here’s what Baker said of the part during an interview in the mid-1990s:

    “In those days in the early ’70s, I think a lot of people wanted to take a stick to Nixon and all those Watergate guys. The movie touched a vigilante nerve in everybody who would like to do in the bad guys but don’t have the power and would get in trouble if they did. But Buford was able to pull it off.”

    An independent release from Bing Crosby Productions, ‘Walking Tall’ was distributed by Cinerama Releasing Corp. and became a huge financial success, grossing an estimated $40 million ($622 million in today’s money) on a budget of about $500,000 ($3.6 million today).

    Famously, Baker later became arguably the first American Bond villain and one of the few actors to return to the franchise in another role.

    Looming over his co-stars at six-foot-three, he played the arms dealer Brad Whitaker in 1987’s ‘The Living Daylights’ starring Timothy Dalton as 007, then returned as a good guy, CIA agent Jack Wade, opposite Pierce Brosnan in the 1995 and 1997 movies ‘GoldenEye’ and ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’, respectively.

    An able actor from the start, his roles evolved as time went on, expanding into comedy, including in ‘Fletch,’ and ‘Mars Attacks!’

    Other movies included ‘Congo,’ ‘Reality Bites,’ 1991’s ‘Cape Fear,’ ‘The Natural’ and ‘Charley Varrick.’

    After appearing in nearly 60 movies throughout his career, Baker retired in 2012. He is survived by extended family in Groesbeck, Texas.

    (L to R) Joe Don Baker and Chevy Chase in 'Fletch'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Joe Don Baker and Chevy Chase in ‘Fletch’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    List of Joe Don Baker Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Joe Don Baker Movies On Amazon

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  • Actor M. Emmet Walsh Dies at the Age of 88

    M. Emmet Walsh in 'Outlaw Posse.'
    M. Emmet Walsh in ‘Outlaw Posse.’ Photo: Quiver Distribution.

    Preview:

    • Actor M. Emmet Walsh has died at the age of 88.
    • He was known for movies such as ‘Blood Simple’ and ‘Blade Runner’.
    • ‘Knives Out’ director Rian Johnson is among those who have paid tribute.

    M. Emmet Walsh, a reliable, fondly appreciated character actor known for corrupt cops, deadly crooks, and zany comedic performances, has died days short of his 89th birthday.

    The actor’s manager Sandy Joseph and publicist Cynthia Snyder announced his death on Wednesday. Walsh died on Tuesday in St. Albans, Vermont, following cardiac arrest.

    Here’s Snyder’s statement:

    “In a remarkable career spanning six decades on stage, in film and television, he became widely recognized for his standout portrayals of such memorable characters.”

    M. Emmet Walsh: Early Life and Career

    M. Emmet Walsh in 'Critters.'
    M. Emmet Walsh in ‘Critters.’ Photo: New Line Cinema.

    Born in 1935 in Ogdensburg, New York, Walsh was raised in Vermont. He kicked off his acting career in typical fashion, with guest roles in TV series in the 1960s and 70s, but unlike some of his peers, he continued to juggle big and small screen jobs throughout his life (his most recent small screen appearance was 2022’s ‘American Gigolo’ series.)

    Early TV gigs included small roles on shows such as ‘The Doctors’, ‘All in the Family’, ‘Ironside’ ‘Bonanza’, ‘The Waltons’, ‘The Rockford Files’ and the pilot of ‘The Bob Newhart Show’.

    His first cinematic appearance was in an uncredited role in 1969’s ‘Midnight Cowboy’ but he got his initial credit on ‘Alice’s Restaurant’ the same year.

    Related Article: ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ Oscar Winning Actor Alan Arkin Dies At The Age of 89

    M. Emmet Walsh: Prolific Acting Work

    Daniel Craig, M. Emmet Walsh and LaKeith Stanfield in 'Knives Out.'
    (L to R) Daniel Craig, M. Emmet Walsh and LaKeith Stanfield in ‘Knives Out.’ Photo: Lionsgate.

    From there, Walsh grew an incredibly prolific acting career thanks to his ability to knock supporting roles out of the park.

    His credits are too many to list in one obituary, but he’ll be remembered for movies such as ‘Blade Runner,’ ‘Blood Simple’, ‘Raising Arizona’, ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’, ‘Fletch’, ‘Back to School’, ‘Critters’, ‘What’s Up, Doc?’ ‘Slap Shot’ and as the crazed sniper hunting Steve Martin in ‘The Jerk’.

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    M. Emmet Walsh: Roger Ebert’s Rule

    Walsh has long been considered a reliable supporting performer –– so reliable, in fact, that legendary movie critic Roger Ebert once coined the Stanton-Walsh Rule, which held that “no movie featuring either Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role can be altogether bad,” though he admitted it wasn’t an infallible rule.

    Walsh had his own rule when it came to his career:

    “I approach each job thinking it might be my last, so it better be the best work possible. I want to be remembered as a working actor. I’m being paid for what I’d do for nothing.”

    M. Emmet Walsh: Tributes Paid

    Director Rian Johnson, who worked with Walsh on ‘Knives Out’, was among those who paid tribute via social media:

    Walsh is survived by his niece, nephew, grandniece and grandnephew.

    Here’s what Walsh mused on his legacy to trade newspaper Drama-Logue in 1989:

    “The parts are all your children. They’ll be my epitaph when they throw in that last shovelful of dirt.”

    M. Emmet Walsh in 'Outlaw Posse.'
    M. Emmet Walsh in ‘Outlaw Posse.’ Photo: Quiver Distribution.

    M. Emmet Walsh Movies:

    Buy M. Emmet Walsh Movies On Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘Confess, Fletch’

     

    Jon Hamm as Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher in 'Confess, Fletch.'
    Jon Hamm as Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher in ‘Confess, Fletch.’

    The new mystery comedy ‘Confess, Fletch’ marks the third big screen adaptation of author Gregory Mcdonald’s popular series of novels, following 1985’s ‘Fletch’ and 1989’s ‘Fletch Lives,’ both starring Chevy Chase.

    The new movie, which opens in theaters, on digital, and on demand beginning September 16th, was directed by Greg Mottola (‘Superbad’) and stars Jon Hamm (‘Top Gun: Maverick’) in the title role.

    Former investigative reporter Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher (Hamm) finds himself in Italy helping a wealthy man locate his stolen paintings. Fletch soon falls in love with the man’s daughter (Lorenza Izzo), but then discovers that her father has been kidnapped and they are demanding the paintings in return.

    Fletch finds a clue to where the paintings could be and travels to Boston to investigate. However, upon arrival Fletch is accused of the murder of a woman he’s never met. With Boston Detective Monroe (Roy Wood Jr.) investigating him, Fletch will have to call on help from his old editor Frank (John Slattery), in order to solve the murder, find the paintings, and rescue his girlfriend’s father.

    John Slattery in 'Confess, Fletch.'
    John Slattery in ‘Confess, Fletch.’

    The result is an enjoyable comedic mystery that is far more faithful to the source material than the Chevy Chase movies, and finally finds the perfect star vehicle for John Hamm’s particular talents after ‘Mad Men.’

    I’m a huge ‘Fletch’ fan. My dad read the novels when I was a kid, and ‘Confess, Fletch’ was the first “adult” book I ever read. I also loved the Chevy Chase movies, especially the original 1985 ‘Fletch.’ But even as a kid, I knew that ‘Fletch’ and ‘Fletch Lives’ are really Chevy Chase comedies and not straight adaptations of the books. There always seemed like there could be another direction to take this character.

    A new ‘Fletch’ movie has been in the works for years. At one-point Kevin Smith was going to take on the franchise and either cast Jason Lee or Ben Affleck in the title role. Then after the release of ‘Garden State’ it looked like Zach Braff would both direct and star in a reboot of ‘Fletch,’ but neither ever came to pass.

    As a fan I am glad because I really liked director Greg Mottola and producer and actor John Hamm’s version of Mcdonald’s character. Mottola does not direct the movie as a comedy, but rather as a mystery noir with funny characters in it. His choice of a jazz music soundtrack also sets the mood and gives the film a fun tone. I also liked the choice to set the movie in Boston, Mcdonald’s hometown, and since Fletch is a diehard Lakers fan, that leads to several comedic moments.

    Jon Hamm in 'Confess, Fletch.'
    Jon Hamm in ‘Confess, Fletch.’ Photo courtesy of Miramax.

    But ‘Confess, Fletch,’ much like the original ‘Fletch’ only works because of the actor playing the title character. While many fans may have a hard time seeing anyone except Chevy Chase play this role, I do believe that Jon Hamm was uniquely qualified to play Fletch. In the books, Fletch is described as handsome, charming, witty, and a bit arrogant. While Chase’s performance captures some of those elements, he played the character much sillier and goofier than he was in Mcdonald’s novels.

    We all know John Hamm is very handsome, but we also know that he can be incredibly funny, and it’s that combination that really makes him perfect for this role. Fletch is a bit of a flirt, and that is believable from Hamm, and also believable that the women might flirt back. Hamm’s natural charm exudes in this role and he seems very comfortable in the part. It really is the perfect vehicle for the actor right now, who has had some missteps in his post ‘Mad Men’ career but is coming off the huge success of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ this summer.

    On a whole, the movie is far from perfect and certainly has some plot issues. The mystery is not exactly hard to figure out, but to be honest, the novels were never really about solving the mystery, they were more about watching Fletch bumble his way through solving it himself, and in that aspect the movie delivers.

    Some of the supporting cast is a little too over-the-top at times with their “whacky” characters including Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden, who plays Fletch’s girlfriend’s step-mother. While the actress is clearly having fun with the role, her performance seems rushed and forced at times. The same could be said for Annie Mumolo’s nosy neighbor, and Kyle MacLachlan’s EDM loving art consultant. While their characters add to the comedy, they just don’t come off as believable in the end.

    Marcia Gay Harden in 'Confess, Fletch.'
    Marcia Gay Harden in ‘Confess, Fletch.’

    In contrast, Lorenza Izzo, who was last seen in ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,’ was solid as Fletch’s girlfriend. While her role is limited to keeping the plot moving at times, the actress is charming in the role and even keeps you guessing as to her true intentions right up to the end of the film.

    But the true treat for ‘Mad Men’ fans is to see John Slattery and Jon Hamm on screen together again. Slattery plays iconic ‘Fletch’ character Frank Walker, who was portrayed by Richard Libertini in the Chevy Chase movies. Of course, Slattery and Hamm have great chemistry together, and Slattery is a great casting choice for Fletch’s grumpy former boss. Also, for ‘Fletch’ fans, there is a cool Easter egg when Frank is introduced in ‘Confess, Fletch’ as we also meet Larry, who was played by Geena Davis in the 1985 movie.

    In the end, ‘Confess, Fletch’ is really Jon Hamm’s movie and for the most part, he makes it work. Whatever short comings the film may have, it overcomes it with a charming performance from Hamm, strong directing choices from Mottola, and of course, Mcdonald’s iconic character.

    ‘Confess, Fletch’ receives 3.5 out of 5 stars.

    Jon Hamm as Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher in 'Confess, Fletch.'
    Jon Hamm as Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher in ‘Confess, Fletch.’
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  • Jon Hamm and Director Greg Mottola Talk ‘Confess, Fletch’

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    Opening in theaters, on digital, and on demand beginning September 16th is the new comedy ‘Confess, Fletch,’ from director Greg Mottola (‘Superbad’).

    The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Gregory Mcdonald, which was previously adapted into 1985’s ‘Fletch’ starring Chevy Chase.

    The new film stars Jon Hamm as Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher, a former investigative reporter whose girlfriend’s father has been kidnapped. But while Fletch investigates, he’s accused of murder. Now, he must solve both crimes, proving his own innocence in the murder, while rescuing his girlfriend’s father.

    In addition to Jon Hamm, the cast also includes Lorenza Izzo, John Slattery, Marcia Gay Harden, Ron Wood Jr., Ayden Mayeri, Annie Mumolo, and Kyle MacLachlan.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jon Hamm and director Greg Mottola about their work on ‘Confess, Fletch,’ adapting the novel, why Hamm wanted to play the character, the visual style of the movie, and where the series could go from here.

    Director Greg Mottola and Jon Hamm from 'Confess, Fletch.'
    (L to R) Director Greg Mottola and Jon Hamm from ‘Confess, Fletch.’

    You can read our full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Hamm, Mottola, Roy Wood Jr., Ayden Mayeri, and Lorenza Izzo.

    Moviefone: To begin with, in addition to an actor you are also a producer on this project. Jon, what was it about this series of novels and playing this character that really appealed to you?

    Jon Hamm: Well, like a lot of people I was introduced to this character through the 1980’s Chevy Chase film, and immediately fell in love with not only Chevy’s interpretation of it, but that whole kind of style of comedy. It was very funny and fun.

    Then I was turned onto the books and realized that there were 10 or 11 other stories in this chain of stories with this character. Then I also realized upon reading all of the books that the character in the book was significantly different from what Chevy brought to it. I thought over the course of my becoming a bankable actor, that there would be an opportunity maybe to redefine it a little bit for a new generation and get back maybe to some of the original takes on it.

    Taking nothing away, obviously, from what Chevy has done, which is obviously beloved and very funny. But we saw an opportunity to actually kind of reconfigure this a little bit, and in success we have the rest of the series of novels to hopefully make. We’re excited that this might be the first step down the path of reimagining ‘Fletch’ for a new audience and a new generation.

    MF: Greg, as a director, what were some of the different aspects of this character and the original books that you wanted to draw on for this film?

    Greg Mottola: I felt like a lot of the comedy in the first one was Chevy, who I was a huge fan of as a kid. I felt like we’d be stealing from him if we were to use some of his innovations that were different from the books. We decided we’d go a little closer to the tone of the books, and make it a little more of a clear whodunit detective story with comedy, of course. But the comedy would be more in the verbal dry side as opposed to slapstick. Once we started, I guess I saw it as a comedy of manners.

    When we put Jon in the middle of this world of a lot of kooky characters, a lot of oddballs, some of whom he really likes and finds amusing, it’s a lot of character work with funny actors playing these people. That’s the stuff I love the most as a director and writer is to work with actors, great actors, to create characters that are indelible, specific, funny and memorable.

    Jon Hamm as Irwin "Fletch" Fletcher in 'Confess, Fletch.'
    Jon Hamm as Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher in ‘Confess, Fletch.’

    MF: Jon, how would you describe your version of Fletch?

    JH: I think he’s pretty comfortable in his own skin. I think he is a great studier of the human condition and of whatever environment he is in. He is intrinsically aware of it, which doesn’t mean he’s always right. I think one of the funny parts of this character is that he’s often wrong.

    He’s coming at it from what he thinks is the absolute certainty of his opinions and convictions, and yet he’s wrong. That shows up on several occasions in the movie, but it doesn’t bother him. It’s part of the process, it’s part of the discovery and that’s what makes life worth living. I think that is what is endearing to the audience to getting to know Fletch. He definitely knows how to withhold some things for sure.

    MF: Finally, Greg, can you about the look and visual style that you wanted to use for this particular character and story?

    GM: I wanted to keep it a kind of classic Hollywood detective movie. Not shoot it too bright of a comedy, but to shoot it a little more like a dramatic detective story. I had a great DP who made things look really pretty. I wanted to show Boston, Boston looks so good on film.

    We were shooting in the pandemic and people were letting us into their homes because I think they were just so desperate to see humans. They were letting us to these beautiful spaces. I would even think “Are you sure you want to let a film crew in there?” But I wanted to make sure we shot it in a way that you really took in the environment and took in Boston. It’s such a great city.

    (L to R) John Slattery and Jon Hamm in 'Confess, Fletch.'
    (L to R) John Slattery and Jon Hamm in ‘Confess, Fletch.’
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  • Jon Hamm Stars in the ‘Confess, Fletch’ Trailer

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    There was a time when if anyone said the name “Fletch”, most film fans would immediately picture Chevy Chase as wiseacre, disguise-happy (at least in his version) investigative reporter Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher.

    But after two movies back in the ‘80s, that particular franchise stalled and Chase is these days considered too old (and definitely too problematic) to take on the part. So what did director and co-writer Greg Mottola do for new film ‘Confess Fletch’? He called up Jon Hamm, who has a proven track record in being able to hit the killer combo of smooth and goofy – sometimes in the same scene. And it’s one that seems to work for Fletcher in the first trailer for this next movie.

    This story, once again adapting (but also here updating) Gregory McDonald’s book series, finds Fletch trying to live a quieter life, off in Europe writing about art and travel. But that changes when he’s hired to investigate who made off with several million dollars’ worth of art from a count’s villa in Italy.

    Soon, there’s a murder and our hero is the prime suspect. The only way to prove his innocence? Find out which of the long list of potential killers is the culprit – from the eccentric art dealer and a missing playboy to a crazy neighbor and Fletch’s Italian girlfriend. Crime, in fact, has never been this disorganized…

    Jon Hamm in 'Confess, Fletch.'
    Jon Hamm in ‘Confess, Fletch.’ Photo courtesy of Miramax.

    According to Mottola, this is a new take on the character, and won’t feature Chase at all. “The reason we didn’t ask Chevy Chase to be in it is not because we don’t love the original movies, we do, but we thought this should be a new thing,,” Mottola tells Entertainment Weekly. “There’s a lot of things Chevy did that aren’t in the Fletch books: his style of comedy, the slapstick, and all the different names and disguises. We thought it wouldn’t be right to steal them. We reference the original, we pay homage to it, but we tried to really balance it halfway between a detective mystery and a comedy, possibly more than the original.”

    The cast for this one also includes Roy Wood Jr., Marcia Gay Harden, Lorenza Izzo, Kyle MacLachlan, Ayden Mayeri, Annie Mumolo and Hamm’s old ‘Mad Men’ colleague John Slattery, who plays the newspaper editor assigning Fletch to the case.

    Mottola says that it was an easy choice to reunite the pair: “I’d met John over the years, and I really, really enjoy him as an actor, so I loved the idea,” he says. “It was actually the first day of shooting all of their stuff, and it was a great first day because those guys have such a shorthand that they just immediately fell into a very funny, enjoyable rhythm.”

    ‘Confess, Fletch’ will be in theaters and on digital September 16th.

    Dana Wheeler-Nicholson and Chevy Chase in 1985's 'Fletch.'
    (L to R) Dana Wheeler-Nicholson and Chevy Chase in 1985’s ‘Fletch.’
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