Rat Race (2001 Film)
''Rat Race'' is a 2001 comedy film directed by Jerry Zucker. Inspired by Stanley Kramer's 1963 film ''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'', the film features an ensemble cast consisting of Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, Cuba Gooding Jr., Wayne Knight, Jon Lovitz, Kathy Najimy, Lanei Chapman, Breckin Meyer, Amy Smart, Seth Green, Vince Vieluf, John Cleese and Dave Thomas. The film centers on six teams of people who are given the task of racing from a Las Vegas casino to a Silver City, New Mexico, train station where a storage locker contains a duffel bag filled with $2 million. Each team is given a key to the locker, and the first person to reach the locker gets the money. Produced by Fireworks Pictures, Alphaville Films, and Zucker's Zucker Productions, the film was released theatrically by Paramount Pictures on August 17, 2001, in the United States and Canada. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film was a box office success, having grossed $85.5 million worl ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Jerry Zucker
Jerry Gordon Zucker (born March 11, 1950) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is one third of the filmmaking trio Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker. He is best known for his role in writing and directing comedy spoof films like ''Airplane!'' (1980) and '' Top Secret!'' (1984), and for co-creating the television series '' Police Squad!,'' which was later adapted into '' The Naked Gun'' film series. He is also the director of the Academy Award-winning supernatural drama film ''Ghost'' (1990). Early life Zucker was born to a Jewish family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Charlotte A. (Lefstein) (d. 2007) and Burton C. Zucker, who was a real estate developer. He graduated from Shorewood High School. His paternal grandfather was Leonard Zucker who emigrated from Russia to the United States and became a naturalized citizen. Career Zucker's early career work started with Jim Abrahams and brother David Zucker. The trio performed in Madison, Wisconsin as a sket ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Screen International
''Screen International'' is a British film magazine covering the international film business. It is published by Media Business Insight, a British B2B media company which also owned '' Broadcast''. The magazine is primarily aimed at those involved in the global film business. The magazine in its current form was founded in 1975, and its website, ''Screendaily.com'', was added in 2001. ''Screen International'' also produces daily publications at film festivals and markets in Berlin, Germany; Cannes, France; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; the American Film Market in Santa Monica, California; and Hong Kong. History ''Screen International'' traces its history back to 1889 with the publication of ''Optical Magic Lantern and Photographic Enlarger''. At the turn of the 20th century, the name changed to ''Cinematographic Journal'' and in 1907 it was renamed '' Kinematograph and Lantern Weekly''. Kinematograph Weekly ''Kinematograph and Lantern Weekly'' contained trade news, advertisemen ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Duffel Bag
A duffel bag, duffle bag, or kit bag is a large bag made of either natural or synthetic fabric (typically canvas or nylon). History Historically a duffel bag had a top closure using a drawstring. Later bags had a webbing hand grip, along with a shoulder strap with clip that closed the opening by nesting grommets from around the rim of the bag. An over padlockable eye loop and an independent pair of ruck sack straps were also used. Generally a duffel bag is used by non-commissioned personnel in the military, and for travel, sports and recreation by civilians, especially schoolchildren, who may use them to carry their physical education or football kits. When used by a sailor or marine a duffel is known as a seabag. A duffel's open structure and lack of rigidity make it adaptable to carrying sports gear and similar bulky objects. A duffel bag is often confused with a hoop-handled hard-bottomed zippered bag, generically also known as a gym bag. Some of these misnamed ''duffl ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Silver City, New Mexico
Silver City is a town in Grant County, New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat and the home of Western New Mexico University. As of the 2010 census the population was 10,315. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,704. History The valley that is now the site of Silver City once served as an Apache campsite. With the arrival of the Spaniards, the area became known for its copper mining. The Apaches occupied areas in the vicinity of Silver City beginning in the late 1500s to early 1600s, based on archaeological evidence. Founding of town After the American Civil War, a settlement developed and became known as "La Ciénega de San Vicente" (the Oasis of St. Vincent). With a wave of American prospectors, the pace of change increased, and Silver City was founded in the summer of 1870. The founding of the town occurred shortly after the discovery of silver ore deposits at Chloride Flat, on the hill just west of the farm of Captain John M. Bullard and his brother ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Las Vegas
Las Vegas, colloquially referred to as Vegas, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and the county seat of Clark County. The Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area is the largest within the greater Mojave Desert, and second-largest in the Southwestern United States. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had 641,903 residents in 2020, with a metropolitan population of 2,227,053, making it the 24th-most populous city in the United States. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city, known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife. Most of these venues are located in downtown Las Vegas or on the Las Vegas Strip, which is outside city limits in the unincorporated towns of Paradise and Winchester. The Las Vegas Valley serves as the leading financial, commercial, and cultural center in Nevada. Las Vegas was settled in 1905 and officially incorporated in 1911. At the close of the 20th cent ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Dave Thomas (actor)
David William Thomas (born May 20, 1949) is a Canadian actor, comedian and television writer, known for being one half of the duo Bob and Doug McKenzie with Rick Moranis. He appeared as Doug McKenzie on '' SCTV'', for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award out of two nominations, and in the film '' Strange Brew'' (1983), which he also co-directed. As a duo, they made two albums, '' The Great White North'' and '' Strange Brew'', the former gaining them a Grammy Award nomination and a Juno Award. His other notable acting credits include '' My Man Adam'' (1985), '' The Experts'' (1989), '' Coneheads'' (1993), '' Rat Race'' (2001), '' Beethoven's 5th'' (2003) and '' Santa's Slay'' (2005). He is also known for playing Russell Norton in the TV series '' Grace Under Fire'' (1993–1998) and provided the voice of Tuke in ''Brother Bear'' (2003), and '' Brother Bear 2'' (2006). Early life David William Thomas was born May 20, 1949, in St. Catharines, Ontario. He is the eldest son of Briti ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Vince Vieluf
Vincent Ernest Vieluf (pronounced ''Vee-loff''; born November 10, 1970) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in ''Rat Race,'' ''Grind'', and the short-lived UPN sitcom '' Love, Inc.'' Life and career Vieluf was born in Joliet, Illinois, and spent most of his youth in Portland, Texas. He has starred in such movies as ''An American Werewolf in Paris'', ''Rat Race'', '' National Lampoon's Barely Legal'', and ''Grind''. He also played in a made-for-TV movie called ''Snow Wonder''. Vieluf has also appeared on the television hits '' ER'' and ''Friends'' In 2006 he had a role in the suspense thriller ''Firewall'' as vicious henchman Pim. Vieluf played the dumbfound Blaine Cody in the 2001 comedy ''Rat Race''. Before ''Rat Race'', Vieluf appeared in ''An American Werewolf in Paris'' and ''Clay Pigeons''. In 2006, Vieluf appeared as a jock version of Wolverine in the parody flick ''Epic Movie''. One of his television appearances (if not his first) was in 1997's '' On t ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Lanei Chapman
Lanei Chapman (born January 23, 1973) is an American actress. She has appeared primarily in guest appearances on episodes of various television series, and may be best known for her role as Lt. Vanessa Damphousse in the single 1995–96 season of the series '' Space: Above and Beyond''. Career Chapman first appeared on television at the age of 13 in a Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial. She went on to appear in a number of films and television shows, including '' White Men Can't Jump'', ''Seinfeld'', '' The Wonder Years'' and '' China Beach''. She made her science fiction television debut in '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' as Ensign Sariel Rager, a recurring character who served as a conn officer in numerous episodes, though she only received an on-screen credit for speaking parts in four episodes. She made her debut in the series '' Space: Above and Beyond'' during the pilot episode, playing main cast character Lt. Vanessa Damphousse. While filming the pilot and the early pa ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Wayne Knight
Wayne Elliot Knight (born August 7, 1955) is an American actor. In television, he played recurring roles such as Newman on the NBC sitcom ''Seinfeld'' (1992–1998) and Officer Don Orville on the NBC sitcom ''3rd Rock from the Sun'' (1996–2001). Knight also voiced Igor on '' Toonsylvania'' (1998–1999), Mr. Blik on '' Catscratch'' (2005–2007) and Baron Von Sheldgoose on ''Legend of the Three Caballeros'' (2018). In film, he played Dennis Nedry in ''Jurassic Park'' (1993), which earned him a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor nomination. Knight additionally acted in the films '' Dead Again'' (1991), '' JFK'' (1991), '' Basic Instinct'' (1992), '' To Die For'' (1995), '' Space Jam'' (1996), '' For Richer or Poorer'' (1997), and '' Rat Race'' (2001). He provided the voices of Tantor in ''Tarzan'' (1999), Al McWhiggin in ''Toy Story 2'' (1999), and The Elf Elder in '' Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon'' (2014). Early life Wayne Elliot Knight was born on August 7, 195 ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Ensemble Cast
In a dramatic production, an ensemble cast is one that comprises many principal actors and performers who are typically assigned roughly equal amounts of screen time.Random House: ensemble acting Linked 2013-07-17 Structure In contrast to the popular model, which gives precedence to a sole protagonist, an ensemble cast leans more towards a sense of "collectivity and community". Cinema Ensemble casts in film were introduced as early as September 1916, with D. W. Griffith's silent epic film '' Intolerance'', featuring four separate though parallel plots. The film follows the lives of several characters over hundreds of years, across different cultures and time periods. The unification of different plot lines and character arcs is a key characteristic of ensemble casting in film; whether it is a location, event, or an overarching theme that ties the film and characters together. Films that feature ensembles tend to emphasize the interconnectivity of the characters, even when the ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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Variety (magazine)
''Variety'' is an American trade magazine owned by Penske Media Corporation. It was founded by Sime Silverman in New York City in 1905 as a weekly newspaper reporting on theater and vaudeville. In 1933, ''Daily Variety'' was launched, based in Los Angeles, to cover the film industry, motion-picture industry. ''Variety'' website features entertainment news, reviews, box office results, plus a credits database, production charts and film calendar. History Founding ''Variety'' has been published since December 16, 1905, when it was launched by Sime Silverman as a weekly periodical covering theater and vaudeville, with its headquarters in New York City. Silverman had been fired by ''The Morning Telegraph'' in 1905 for panning an act which had taken out an advert for $50. He subsequently decided to start his own publication that, he said, would "not be influenced by advertising." With a loan of $1,500 from his father-in-law, he launched ''Variety'' as publisher and editor. In additi ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |
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It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' is a 1963 American Technicolor epic comedy film in Ultra Panavision 70 produced and directed by Stanley Kramer, from a screenplay by William and Tania Rose. The film, starring Spencer Tracy with an all-star cast composed largely of comedians, is about the madcap pursuit of a suitcase full of stolen cash by a colorful group of strangers. The principal cast features Edie Adams, Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Dorothy Provine, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn, Phil Silvers, Terry-Thomas, and Jonathan Winters. The film marked the first time Kramer directed a comedy, though he had produced the comedy '' So This Is New York'' in 1948. He is best known for producing and directing, in his own words, "heavy drama" about social problems. His first attempt at directing a comedy film paid off immensely as ''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' became a critical and commercial success and was nominated for six Academy Awards, w ... [...More Info...]       [...Related Items...]     OR:     [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Baidu]   |