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Jack Gill (stuntman)
Jack Gill is an American stuntman and second unit director. He is best known for being second unit director (alongside Spiro Razatos) on the ''Fast and Furious'' series starting with ''Fast Five'' (2011). Life and career Gill started his stunt career in 1982 on the film ''First Blood'' before moving into second unit directing on the 1995 film ''Money Train''. Gill has cited Hal Needham as his inspiration to enter the stunt world. In 1997, he co-wrote and directed ''The Protector (1997 film), The Projector'', which starred Matt McColm, Ron Perlman, and John Rhys-Davies. In 2011, he and Spiro Razatos were hired to respectively serve as stunt coordinator and second unit director on ''Fast Five, Fast Five: Rio Heist''. They later returned to work on the sequels starting with ''Fast & Furious 6'', with Gill helping Razatos with second unit directing on ''Furious 7'' (2015), ''The Fate of the Furious'' (2017), and ''Fast X'' (2023). In 2014, he directed second unit on the 2014 film ''R ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Second Unit Director
A second unit is a discrete team of filmmakers tasked with filming shots or sequences of a production, separate from the main or "first" unit. The second unit will often shoot simultaneously with the other unit or units, allowing the filming stage of production to be completed faster. Function The functions of the second unit vary, but typically the first unit films the key face-to-face drama between the principal actors. Two frequent ways a second unit is used are: * Action sequences: Action sequences are often filmed in discrete locations, using stunt performers rather than the principal cast, and requiring significantly different filming arrangements than ordinary scenes. Therefore, they are an opportunity for second-unit shooting. * "Pick-ups": After the main unit has finished on a set or location, there may be shots that require some or all of this setting as background but that do not require the principal actors. These shots may include things such as close-ups, inse ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ride Along (film)
''Ride Along'' is a 2014 American buddy cop action comedy film directed by Tim Story and starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart. The film follows Ben Barber (Kevin Hart), a security guard who must prove to his girlfriend's police officer brother, James Payton (Ice Cube), that he is worthy of marrying her. During their 24-hour patrol of Atlanta, Ben accidentally gets wrapped up in James' hunt for an arms dealer, Omar (Laurence Fishburne). The film was produced by Relativity Media, Cube Vision Productions and Rainforest Films, and distributed by Universal Pictures. Following two premieres in Atlanta and Los Angeles, the film was released worldwide on January 17, 2014. A sequel, ''Ride Along 2'', was released on January 15, 2016. Plot Undercover detective James Payton is on a falsifying passports operation run by "Omar". After a shootout with the smugglers, his lieutenant tells him to drop the case, which he does not. Ben Barber, a jumpy, short high school security guard wh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cannonball Run II
''Cannonball Run II'' is a 1983 American action comedy film starring Burt Reynolds and an all-star cast, released by Warner Bros. and Golden Harvest. The film is the second installment of the ''Cannonball Run'' trilogy and a sequel to ''The Cannonball Run'' (1981). Like the first film, it is set around an illegal cross-country race. This marked the final feature film appearances of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. Their appearances, coupled with those of Sammy Davis Jr. marked the final on-screen appearance of the Rat Pack team. The film also marked the final film appearance of Jim Nabors before his death in November 2017. The film also featured Jackie Chan in his third Hollywood role. Plot Having lost the first Cannonball Run race, Sheik Abdul ben Falafel is ordered by his father, the King, to go back to America and win another Cannonball Run in order to "emblazon the Falafel name as the fastest in the world". When Sheik Abdul points out that there is no Cannonball Run that y ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ted Kotcheff
William Theodore Kotcheff (; April 7, 1931 – April 10, 2025) was a CanadianUS Director Ted Kotcheff Granted Bulgarian Citizenship. Bulgarian Justice Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva on Friday granted citizenship to Ted Kotcheff, a US director born to Bulgarian parents.March 19, 2016, Novinite.com./ref> director and producer of film, television, and theatre. He worked at various times in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He was known for having directed such films as the seminal Australian New Wave picture ''Wake in Fright'' (1971), the Mordecai Richler adaptations The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz (film), ''The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz'' (1974) and Joshua Then and Now (film), ''Joshua Then and Now'' (1985), the original ''Rambo (franchise), Rambo'' film ''First Blood'' (1982), and the comedies ''Fun with Dick and Jane (1977 film), Fun with Dick and Jane'' (1977), ''North Dallas Forty'' (1979), and ''Weekend at Bernie's'' (1989). Kotcheff was nominated for ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Second Unit
A second unit is a discrete team of filmmakers tasked with filming shots or sequences of a production, separate from the main or "first" unit. The second unit will often shoot simultaneously with the other unit or units, allowing the filming stage of production to be completed faster. Function The functions of the second unit vary, but typically the first unit films the key face-to-face drama between the principal actors. Two frequent ways a second unit is used are: * Action sequences: Action sequences are often filmed in discrete locations, using stunt performers rather than the principal cast, and requiring significantly different filming arrangements than ordinary scenes. Therefore, they are an opportunity for second-unit shooting. * "Pick-ups": After the main unit has finished on a set or location, there may be shots that require some or all of this setting as background but that do not require the principal actors. These shots may include things such as close-ups, inser ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stunts
A stunt is an unusual, difficult, dramatic physical feat that may require a special skill, performed for artistic purposes usually for a public audience, as on television or in theaters or cinema. Stunts are a feature of many action films. Before computer-generated imagery special effects, these depictions were limited to the use of models, false perspective and other in-camera effects, unless the creator could find someone willing to carry them out, even such dangerous acts as jumping from car to car in motion or hanging from the edge of a skyscraper: the stunt performer or stunt double. Types of stunt effects Practical effects One of the most-frequently used practical stunts is stage combat. Although contact is normally avoided, many elements of stage combat, such as sword fighting, martial arts, and acrobatics required contact between performers in order to facilitate the creation of a particular effect, such as noise or physical interaction. Stunt performances are highly ch ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Last Holiday (2006 Film)
''Last Holiday'' is a 2006 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Wayne Wang and written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman. The film is loosely based on the 1950 British film of the same name by J. B. Priestley. The film stars Queen Latifah as Georgia Byrd, a humble department store assistant who is told that she has a rare brain condition and only has a few weeks to live. She promptly decides to spend her remaining funds on a luxury holiday in Europe before she dies. Price and Seaman wanted John Candy for the main role but, after Candy's death, Latifah's agent suggested a new version starring her. Produced by Robert Zemeckis' ImageMovers, the film was released by Paramount Pictures on January 13, 2006. The film underperformed at the box office, having grossed $43.3 million against a budget of $45 million and received mixed reviews from critics, though Latifah's performance was universally praised for her charm and humor. Plot Georgia Byrd is an introverted, u ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Vampire's Assistant
''Vampire Blood'' (also called the ''Cirque du Freak'' trilogy) is the first trilogy in The Saga of Darren Shan by the author Darren Shan. It contains the books ''Cirque du Freak'', ''The Vampire's Assistant'' and ''Tunnels of Blood''. These starting books explore how Darren must adapt to his new life, and what that entails. The first book contains the reasons why he became a half-vampire and what he had to give up in order to save his ex-best friend, as well as introducing the character. The second and third go into more detail about how he has to change and what he will never be able to do. The main theme for the whole of the trilogy is insecurity. Darren has just been changed into something hardly anyone would accept, and this, combined with the fact that he is just a child, leads into a darker and more unusual way to grow up. The film '' Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant'' is loosely based on this trilogy. Universal Studios bought the rights to Darren Shan and it was di ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Watch (2012 Film)
''The Watch'' (previously known as ''Neighborhood Watch'') is a 2012 American science fiction comedy film directed by Akiva Schaffer and written by Jared Stern, Seth Rogen, and Evan Goldberg. It stars Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill, and Richard Ayoade as a group of neighbors who form a suburban neighborhood watch group, where they uncover an extraterrestrial discovery. Rosemarie DeWitt is also among the cast. This was the final film role of R. Lee Ermey, who died on April 15, 2018. The film began its development in early 2008 under producer Shawn Levy as a teen-targeted project written by Stern. Between mid 2009 and late 2010, it saw different directors and stars join the project until November 2010 when it moved in a new direction under Rogen and Goldberg (who rewrote the script for an adult audience). Filming began in October 2011 in the state of Georgia, concluding in January 2012. The film's marketing campaign was affected by the February 2012 shooting of Trayvon M ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Date Night
''Date Night'' is a 2010 American romantic action comedy film directed by Shawn Levy and written by Josh Klausner. The film stars Steve Carell and Tina Fey as a suburban couple whose attempt to reignite their marriage with a night out in New York City leads to a case of mistaken identity and an escalating series of comedic and dangerous encounters. The film also features Taraji P. Henson, Common, and Mark Wahlberg in supporting roles. ''Date Night'' premiered in New York City on April 6, 2010, and was released theatrically in the United States on April 9, 2010, by 20th Century Fox. ''Date Night'' received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics, with particular praise for the chemistry between Carell and Fey, though its plot received some criticism. The film emerged as a commercial success at the box office, grossing $152.3 million worldwide against a production budget of $55 million. Plot Phil and Claire Foster are a married couple from New Jersey with two children. Over tim ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Hangover Part III
''The Hangover Part III'' is a 2013 American comedy film produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is the third and final installment in ''The Hangover'' trilogy and the sequel to ''The Hangover Part II'' (2011). The film stars Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Ken Jeong, Jeffrey Tambor, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha, and John Goodman with Todd Phillips directing a screenplay written by himself and Craig Mazin. The film follows the "Wolfpack" (Phil, Stu, Doug, and Alan) as they try to get Alan the help he needs after facing a personal crisis, after the bachelor party in Bangkok. However, things go awry when an incident from the original film comes back to haunt them. ''The Hangover Part III'' was announced days before the release of ''The Hangover Part II'' and Mazin, who co-wrote ''Part II'', was brought on board. In January 2012, the principal actors re-signed to star. In March 2012, Warner Bros. announced a U.S. Memorial Wee ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Drillbit Taylor
''Drillbit Taylor'' is a 2008 American coming-of-age comedy film directed by Steven Brill, produced by Judd Apatow, Susan Arnold and Donna Arkoff Roth with screenplay by Kristofor Brown and Seth Rogen based on an original story by John Hughes (under the pseudonym "Edmond Dantès", his final film work and credit before his death one year later). In the film, three high school pupils decide to hire an adult bodyguard to protect them from two bullies who endlessly harass and abuse them. The film stars Owen Wilson as the eponymous role, alongside Nate Hartley, Troy Gentile, David Dorfman (his final film role before his retirement), Alex Frost, Josh Peck and Leslie Mann in supporting roles. ''Drillbit Taylor'' was released by Paramount Pictures on March 21, 2008. Upon release, the film received negative reviews, with criticism directed mainly toward the screenwriting, the direction and the mean-spirited nature, but praised the humor, Wilson's performance and the chemistry bet ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
