The legendary film composer, John Barry, has passed away at the age of 77. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy...
143 films
5 Academy Awards
11 Bond scores
In fact, all the best James Bond scores - the classic, iconic themes. Thunderball. You Only Live Twice. On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Diamonds Are Forever. Goldfinger.
Barry was a master at matching the majestic sweeping vision of the cinematography to our ears and evoking an emotional response. His slow build to crescendo during the flying sequence in Out of Africa is a beautiful example.
The maestro conducts his own work.
Farewell Mr. Barry, you will be missed.
FADE TO BLACK
Frankly, we're a bit lukewarm on the film version of Pat Conroy's epic Southern novel. Three words sum it up: Too much Babs.
In fact everything that made the book such a breakthrough for Conroy was virtually snipped from the script - a screenplay that garnered the author an Oscar nomination, nonetheless.
Conroy once told us that although he was nominated for the Academy Award for the film, he did not recognize a single word he wrote.
"It remains one of the great mysteries of Hollywood," says the author.
Nevertheless, the making of the movie was good for a few stories still making the rounds in Beaufort. Just take a carriage tour past the house on The Point that Streisand rented during the shoot to hear the famous "Sound of freedom" tale (more on that later...maybe).
And while we still feel that much of the film is far too focused on what was a mere subplot in the book (Oscar bait for Babs), there are a few nuggets here and there...
Brad Sullivan and Kate Nelligan as the battling Wingos, Henry and Lila pretty much nail every scene they're in.
Part 6: What the hell happened to Alex...
That's what Kevin Costner (below) might have looked like as The Big Chill's suicide victim, Alex. Writer/Director Lawrence Kasdan shot scenes with Costner and the rest of the cast as college students and later decided they just didn't work. Costner's Alex ended up on the cutting room floor never to be seen...
As an apology, Kasdan wrote a flashy part for Costner as Jake in Silverado and the next thing you know we've got The Postman. Thanks, Larry.
Beaufort native Michael Givens' rock 'n roll redemption film "Angel Camouflaged" comes to BIFF with a slew of indy film fest awards. We can't help but notice the film also boasts some fairly legendary musical talent including Spartanburg's Marshall Tucker Band and Godfather of Rap, Kurtis Blow.
But the former Mrs. Richard Hell and current Mrs. John McEnroe got our attention. Actually, some of us know her as Patty Smyth, of Scandal fame...
Will Patty show up for BIFF? Can't tell you. But we do know she can still belt out the tunes.
Music played a huge part in The Big Chill and the soundtrack went on to sell millions of copies and introduce an entire generation to the Motown Sound, among others. What viewers don't know is that often there was no music on the set, that it was dropped in during post production. Writer/director Lawrence Kasdan, cast & crew recall the sounds (and silence) of The Big Chill...
Up next, why Kevin Costner ended up on the editing room floor...
Part 4:
Shooting in the early morning mist on Bay Street, technical gaffs, the advent of home video and the dawn of the "Me" decade - all pieces of the puzzle that factored into this landmark Lowcountry film.
Part 3: Shooting in a haunted house...
Part of what made The Big Chill unique was Director/Writer Larry Kasdan's insistence that the film be shot in sequence with all the actors around even if they weren't in the scene. Shooting most of the film in an actual house (Tidalholm, above) was also key to the ensemble feel of the film. And, according to cast and crew, rumors of the house being haunted are well founded...
Part 2 (of 6) as we remember the movie that put Beaufort on the map and launched a lot of brilliant careers. In fact, Director Lawrence Kasdan felt so bad about cutting Kevin Costner's performance that he wrote the showy role of Jake in Silverado as an apology.
We always like Costner's conviction on the line, "Let's git 'em!" It never gets old.
The Big Chill really put Beaufort on Hollywood's map back in 1983 and still resonates all these years later. Lawrence Kasdan also managed to put together one of the most amazing ensemble casts in memory.
The cast and filmmakers recall the film and their time in Beaufort in this multi-part series.
Saltus River Grill, located at 802 Bay St. in Beaufort, will host a wine dinner to benefit the Beaufort International Film Festival on Thursday, February 3 at 7 p.m. Complete with wine pairings presented by Celia Strong and a four-course meal by Saltus Chef Brian Waters, the dinner will be available for $50 per person, with $10 per paid customer to benefit the Film Festival. Reservations may be made through February 1 by calling (843) 379-3474. The menu is available at www.saltusrivergrill.com.
Beaufort Film Festival Chair Ron Tucker will be present to give highlights of the 2011 festival, to be held February 16-20, as well as information about membership in the Beaufort Film Festival. Favorite shorts from the 2010 festival will also be shown.
“This is a way for us to help drum up support for an incredible organization,” said Saltus Owner Lantz Price. “This festival is part of the artistic culture of Beaufort and we want to do our part to help sustain it.”
The Beaufort Film Society and the International Film Festival showcase the beautiful film-friendly region of Beaufort and the Carolina Sea Islands. For the past quarter of a century Beaufort has served as the backdrop for more than 20 major motion pictures, to include “Forrest Gump”, “The Big Chill,” “The Prince of Tides”, and many more.The festival reintroduces Beaufort’s sweeping marsh vistas, antebellum homes, and quiet charm of the old south to a new generation of filmmakers.
