gene hackman

Podcast Episode 43: THE FUGITIVE Director Andrew Davis Discusses His Career

In this episode of the Movies In Focus podcast, film director Andrew Davis talks about his long and prestigious career. Best known for directing the hugely acclaimed blockbuster The Fugitive with Harrison Ford, Davis’ career has been as eclectic [...]

March 1, 2024

Celebrating 25 Years Of Tony Scott’s ENEMY OF THE STATE

The late Tony Scott made a lot of great movies,but 1998’s Enemy Of The State might just be his best (at the very least it’s up there with Spy Game and Man On Fire). It’s a paranoia/conspiracy thriller which still packs a punch 25 [...]

November 20, 2023

Behind The Scenes: Francis Ford Coppola & Gene Hackman On The Set Of THE CONVERSATION

The great Francis Ford Coppola‘s 1974 film, The Conversation is an expertly paced dramatic thriller. Written, directed and produced by Coppola, The Conversation was the first film the director made following the massive critical and [...]

January 20, 2022

Kevin Costner – The Last Of The Hollywood Cowboys

Born on the 18 January, 1955, Kevin Costner was an avid film fan who up in California. Fascinated by epic westerns such as Red River and How the West Was Won, he dreamed of being cowboy (a dream that would be fulfilled many years later). Following [...]

January 18, 2022

Movies To Watch This Christmas

Christmastime is here again and Movies In Focus is presenting you with a list of Christmas movies to watch over the festive season. Some are naughty and some are nice, but they’re definitely an intriguing selection of movies to light-up your [...]

December 4, 2021

Behind The Scenes: Owen Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow & Wes Anderson On The Set Of THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS

The success of 1998’s brilliant Rushmore meant that writer-director Wes Anderson was effectively given carte blanche for his follow-up film. What he delivered was 2001’s The Royal Tenenbaums, an expertly crafted off-beat family drama [...]

November 18, 2021

Notebook Reviews: THE CONVERSATION

Francis Ford Coppola – 1974. Written, produced, and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, The Conversation is a wonderfully paced dramatic thriller. Gene Hackman is excellent as always the surveillance who believes that one of his subjects might [...]

October 17, 2021

Notebook Reviews: TWILIGHT

Robert Benton – 1998. Twilight is an excellent modern day film noir with a hugely impressive cast. The great Paul Newman leads the way but Robert Benton‘s film also stars the mighty James Garner, Gene Hackman, Susan Sarandon, Reese [...]

September 15, 2021

Notebook Reviews: ENEMY OF THE STATE

Tony Scott – 1998 Enemy Of The State sees Tony Scott directing Will Smith and Gene Hackman in this hugely entertaining paranoia thriller. Scott shoots with his usual visual fervour, giving this festive action film some incredible energy and a [...]

September 14, 2021

Uncovering Curiosities: Alan Parker’s MISSISSIPPI BURNING

The heat from Alan Parker’s Mississippi Burning can still be felt more than 30 years after its 1988 release. This 1960s set drama (which is loosely based on real events) still packs a hefty emotional punch. Chris Gerolmo’s script makes it strong [...]

August 2, 2021

Notebook Reviews: WYATT EARP

Lawrence Kasdan – 1993 Directed, produced and co-written by Lawrence Kasdan, Wyatt Earp is a great looking historical epic. However, this western just doesn’t work despite a lot of great elements. It’s not bad, it’s just [...]

July 16, 2021

Obituary: Legendary Hollywood Director Richard Donner Dies Aged 91

The great Richard Donner sadly passed away at the age of 91 on 5 July 2021. Born Richard Donald Schwartzberg on 24 April 24 1930 in New York, Donner started out as an actor before moving into directing in the 1960s. He went on to become one of [...]

July 5, 2021

Notebook Reviews: THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS

Wes Anderson – 2001 A perfect cast heads-up Wes Anderson‘s wonderful follow-up to Rushmore. Gene Hackman is excellent as always although Bill Murray is underused – but the rest of the cast more than make up for that. The soundtrack [...]

May 26, 2021

Notebook Reviews: HEARTBREAKERS

David Mirkin – 2001 Hearbreakers isn’t a bad comedy – but it would be nothing without it’s brilliant cast. Gene Hackman seems to be having a great time – the role is an odd choice for him. Sigourney Weaver [...]

May 22, 2021

Notebook Reviews: SUPERMAN II

Richard Lester – 1980 Continuing the Man Of Steel‘s story from Richard Donner‘s brilliant original, Superman II isn’t quite as good as its predecessor – but it’s close. Very close. Gene Hackman and Christopher [...]

May 17, 2021

Notebook Reviews: SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE

Richard Donner – 1978 Richard Donner‘s Superman is one of the great comic book adaptions – and it’s as close to a living comic book as you could possibly get. Christopher Reeve is flawless as the Man Of Steel and Gene [...]

May 11, 2021

The Mighty Richard Donner

The mighty Richard Donner turned 91 years old on 24 April 2021. Donner is one of the all-time great Hollywood directors who cut his teeth in advertising and television, working on some of the most iconic shows of the 1960s and 1970s (The Twilight [...]

April 24, 2021