Screen Junkies » Ethan Hawke

5 Greatest Found Footage Films Of All Time

Wookie Johnson — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:24:52 +0000

Sinister stars Ethan Hawke as a true-crime writer who moves his family into a murder house in the hopes of writing a book based off the strange occurence. But this isn’t just any ordinary murder house. This is the king of all murder houses, with at least five families having been slaughtered there under mysterious circumstances. Each of these grisly crimes are revealed as films of the murders are found in the attic and reveal a terrifying figure that comes to claim the life of whomever views him. Good luck with that, Ethan Hawke!

It looks to be a terrifying addition to the world of found footage films. We’ll know for sure when it opens in theaters on Friday, October 12th. In the meantime, have a look at the predecessors who will go down in history as fright classics.

Chronicle

Chronicle enjoyed a successful run in theaters thanks to some really strong word of mouth. In fact, the reaction so far has been “OMG!!!1!!!!!!!!BESTFILMEVAR!1,” which is pretty high praise, I’d say. The combination of little-known talent and cost-effective but awesome special effects made for a great movie, even though the pay-off doesn’t really do justice to the build-up.

REC

This story of a virus taking over an apartment building keeps the viewer guessing throughout. No character is safe, and those you’d expect to make it to the end credits meet abrupt demises. Before standing back up and going completely rabid on their surviving neighbors. You’ll want to deadbolt your doors after watching.

Cloverfield

Like Chronicle, Cloverfield was another winter found footage release that cleaned up at the box office. However, the Godzilla-esque monster movie suffered after its first week due to negative word of mouth. Which is insane, because it’s a great movie. Audiences found fault with the shaky camera work and lack of a typical Hollywood ending. Pretty harsh to bash something for switching up the same tired formula. That’s why you guys have all of those Vin Diesel movies.

The Paranormal Activity Series

Though it has collected its share of detractors, Oren Peli’s Paranormal Activity films clean up at the box office for good reason. They’re really, really creepy. The camera techniques introduced in each of the films crank up the scares of The Blair Witch Project by layering the suspense with inventive devices. In other words, it takes the house Blair Witch built and makes its walls bleed.

The Blair Witch Project

Though not the first to use the style, it’s definitely the film that brought found footage to the mainstream. That’s not to say it’s not original or well done. Filmmakers cast their lead actors and then sent them out into the woods with cameras. No script. They literally left people in tents and then fucked with them at night. The result was a pretty organic and frightening ride-alone.

It’s The Clash Frontman Joe Strummer’s Turn For A Biopic Now, Courtesy Of…Julie Delpy?

Penn Collins — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:00:18 +0000

While news of a biopic for The Clash’s lead singer Joe Strummer may tickle the (metaphorical) punk inside you, before you get too excited about archival footage and punk-o-rama madness, know that it’s going to be directed by Julie Delpy, the writer and star of the Paris romance films Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Also know that it focuses on just Joe Strummer in 1982 when he dropped out of the public eye and music scene to bum around in Paris.

So basically, don’t get excited at all.

The film is moving forward under the title The Right Profile, taking the name from a track off their seminal London Calling LP.

Who will play the frontman? It’s unclear, but one thing’s for certain – Delpy sure does seem to like working with Ethan Hawke in movies about Paris. Hmm. Hawke’s only two daughters are both less than four years old, which makes casting them in the starring role unlikely, but not impossible.

Wouldn’t it be nice to see Tobey Maguire just nail this role a) because he looks a fair amount like strummer and b) it would be nice to see him not play a total pussy for once.

Or one of the Hawke girls. Whatevs.

John Cho Will Remember It For Colin Farrell Wholesale

Joseph Gibson — Fri, 27 May 2011 06:02:46 +0000

The upcoming remake of Total Recall from director Len Wiseman has added another name to its cast: John Cho, alias Harold of Harold & Kumar. He’ll be playing “McClane, the smooth-talking rep for the mind-messing company that tempts Colin Farrell’s Douglas Quaid to implant fantastic memories into his brain.”

That makes sense – I would definitely sign up for a potentially dangerous memory implantation if John Cho talked me into it. He’s joining Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, and Ethan Hawke in the movie – or maybe he just THINKS he is. No, he is. In talks to play Kuato, the prophesied hero of the story, is Bill Nighy. I’m sure John Cho would be able to talk him into it. (Entertainment Weekly)

Ethan Hawke To Make 3-Boobed ‘Total Recall’ Cameo?

Joseph Gibson — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:09:22 +0000

The upcoming Total Recall remake (Total Remake?) is assembling quite a cast. You’ve got Colin Farrell in the lead role, Bryan Cranston as the villain, and Kate Beckinsale and/or Jessica Biel as the female leads. And now it’s been revealed that Sad Face Hall of Famer Ethan Hawke will be making an appearance as well.

No word yet on the nature of the role, except that it will be a “cameo.” I’ve got my fingers crossed that this means Ethan Hawke is playing the three-boobed mutant hooker from the original Total Recall. Unfortunately, it’s possible that the remake won’t even have any mutants, since instead of Earth and Mars the remake is said to involve the future countries of “Euromerica and New Shanghai.” One sec, I have to go make a bunch of “Team Euromerica” and “Team New Shangahi” T-shirts. I have a feeling about this. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Ethan Hawke Decides ‘Screw It, I’ll Do TV’

Wookie Johnson — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:27:36 +0000

Ethan Hawke is in talks to slum it on Fox with the procedural drama Exit Strategy. The project is backed by Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, and David Guggenheim and expected to go to pilot if Hawke signs on. The high octane successor to 24“ will star Hawke as the leader of an elite team that helps retrieve CIA agents from missions gone awry. And, like “24,” the project is also presented in real time.

What do you think of this move to TV by Hawke? His film career still seems to have steam left in it, and he’s found success on the stage. Does this spring from a need to keep working, or is it all part of his gradual metamorphosis into Chris O’Donnell? (Deadline)

Malin Akerman Locked In ‘The Numbers Station’