In a cinematic landscape where the "movie star" is a rare and coveted title, Denzel Washington has carved out a formidable reputation. With two Academy Awards, a string of critical successes, and collaborations with directors like Spike Lee and Tony Scott, Washington's career is a testament to his versatility and skill. Yet, even the most acclaimed actors have their off days. For Washington, one such misstep was the 1995 sci-fi film Virtuosity . Despite a promising premise and a star-studded cast, the film remains one of Washington’s most notable box office flops. Here’s a closer look at why Virtuosity stumbled at the box office and why it’s worth revisiting. The Premise: A High-Tech Thriller with a Familiar Twist Released on August 4, 1995, Virtuosity was directed by Brett Leonard, whose previous success with The Lawnmower Man had set high expectations. The film starred Denzel Washington as Parker Barnes, a Los Angeles police officer wrongfully imprisoned after a trag
Killers of the Flower Moon: A Gripping True Crime Film Unveiling the Dark Secrets of the American West
Killers of the Flower Moon: A Gripping True Crime Story Coming to Theaters in 2023
If you are a fan of true crime stories, you might want to mark your calendar for October 6, 2023. That’s when Killers of the Flower Moon, the highly anticipated film adaptation of David Grann’s best-selling book, will hit the big screen. Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, the film promises to be a thrilling and shocking tale of murder, greed and injustice in the American West.
What is Killers of the Flower Moon about?
Killers of the Flower Moon is based on the real-life events that took place in Oklahoma in the 1920s, when members of the Osage Nation, a Native American tribe, were systematically killed after oil was discovered on their land. The Osage became the richest people per capita in the world, but they also became targets of a ruthless conspiracy that involved local white settlers, lawmen and even family members. As the death toll rose, the newly formed FBI, led by a young J. Edgar Hoover, stepped in to investigate the case, which became known as the Reign of Terror.
The film follows Ernest Burkhart (DiCaprio), a white man who marries Mollie Burkhart (Lily Gladstone), an Osage woman who inherits a fortune from her murdered family. Ernest’s uncle, William Hale (De Niro), is a powerful rancher who orchestrates the killings and manipulates Ernest into becoming his accomplice. Tom White (Jesse Plemons), a former Texas Ranger and FBI agent, is assigned to crack the case and expose the truth behind the murders.
Who are behind Killers of the Flower Moon?
Killers of the Flower Moon is directed by Martin Scorsese, one of the most acclaimed and influential filmmakers of all time. Scorsese is known for his iconic films such as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Departed and The Irishman. He has won numerous awards, including an Oscar for Best Director for The Departed in 2007.
The film is written by Eric Roth and Scorsese, based on the book by David Grann, a staff writer for The New Yorker and a bestselling author. Grann spent years researching and interviewing survivors and descendants of the Osage murders for his book, which was published in 2017 and received critical acclaim and commercial success.
The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, two of the most celebrated actors of their generation. DiCaprio and De Niro have both worked with Scorsese before, with DiCaprio appearing in five of his films (Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Departed, Shutter Island and The Wolf of Wall Street) and De Niro appearing in nine (Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, New York New York, Raging Bull, The King of Comedy, Goodfellas, Cape Fear, Casino and The Irishman). This is the first time that DiCaprio and De Niro will share the screen in a Scorsese film.
The film also features a diverse cast of talented actors, including Lily Gladstone (First Cow), Jesse Plemons (Breaking Bad), Brendan Fraser (The Mummy), John Lithgow (The Crown), Tantoo Cardinal (Dances with Wolves), Jason Isbell (A Star Is Born), Sturgill Simpson (The Dead Don’t Die) and Tatanka Means (The Son).
What can we expect from Killers of the Flower Moon?
Killers of the Flower Moon is expected to be a cinematic masterpiece that combines Scorsese’s signature style of storytelling with stunning visuals and performances. The film was shot on location in Oklahoma using authentic period costumes and sets. It also features original music by Robbie Robertson, a longtime collaborator of Scorsese.
The film will explore themes such as racism, corruption, greed and violence that are still relevant today. It will also shed light on a dark chapter of American history that has been largely forgotten or ignored. As Grann said in an interview with NPR: "This was one of the most sinister crimes in American history … And it was also one that really revealed so much about America at that time."
Killers of the Flower Moon will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2023. It will then be released in select theaters on October 6, 2023 by Paramount Pictures before streaming on Apple TV+. It is one of the most anticipated films of 2023 and a potential contender for major awards.
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