The Road to Awe
I approach this article with the utmost respect for each and everyone that was lost this year, and it’s a sad responsibility I feel to touch on each and every one of my heroes that passed away in such a short synopsis. However, I get so mad each year when only 2 seconds of air time is given to each of our fallen heroes during The Academy Awards. This year it’s unfortunately a large number, but I ask you to please read on in the hopes that you’ll learn something new about someone you shared the same love for as me. The sheer amount of misfortune that fate has brought upon us this year was so large that some may have not gotten the attention they deserve and I hope this article can help to rectify that.
I felt the need to pay tribute to them for the inspiration they lent me by giving them one more chance to remain immortal in the eyes of film. Perhaps, by further reiterating some future projects which drew inspiration from these legends I will stand a slight chance of helping them live on. I was reading an article today over on FirstShowing.net with two young up and coming writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (the duo behind the Star Trek and Transformers re-imaginings) where they discussed their influences and thoughts on how film as a whole is cyclical. In a great quote during a meeting with Steven Speilberg Alex and Roberto used a reference from one of his old films to pitch an idea to him:
“I think without question. We’ve been in the amazing position of being in meetings with Steven Spielberg where we go “Listen, at the risk of sounding like idiots, we’re going to reference one of your films back to you as what we’re trying to do here, if you don’t mind.” He’s like “No, no, I steal from myself all the time.”
It’s almost as if film is an immortal medium, where the old influences the new, which we see evolve in the film making process. We all draw from our inspirations and the many people who were lost this year will never be forgotten because of that. I wanted to give my personal tribute to many of my heroes as a child and I hope to carry the passion they showed for their art with me for the rest of my life. I’m reminded of a quote from one of the most cherished films of my short life, The Fountain, because even a logical cynic like me can see a chance at everlasting bliss:
“If they dug his father’s body up, it would be gone. They planted a seed over his grave. The seed became a tree. Moses said his father became a part of that tree. He grew into the wood, into the bloom. And when a sparrow ate the tree’s fruit, his father flew with the birds. He said… death was his father’s road to awe. That’s what he called it. The road to awe.”
Brad Renfro
July 25th, 1982 – January 15th, 2008
The idea for this article came when I read about the death of Brad Renfro, whom I remember from The Client and Apt Pupil but recently had been following a film called The Informers for the past year which features a week of nefarious depravery in LA in the 1980′s where movie executives and rock stars coincide with morality free mythical counterparts during a kidnapping. I was initially drawn to the film when I heard that the likes of Billy Bob Thorton, Mickey Rourke, Kim Basinger, and Winona Ryder were all interested in the script from the writing team of Bret Easton Ellis and Nicholas Jarecki, who most notably gave us American Psycho and The Rules of Attraction. I don’t have to remind you how twisted those films were, so to put this many A list stars with these two visionary film makers can only turn out truly unique with awe inspiring results. However, I digress from the true place this film should hold in many cinephiles hearts as a reminder of the final thoughts of Brad Renfro. We can only hope to get the chance to leave something behind as timeless as cinema. Brad will be playing the role of the character of Jack in the film which I can’t tell you much about because the plot is quite ambiguous, but check out the trailer and I’m sure you’ll have an idea. It’s a shame to lose a young talent for such a stupid reason, but sometimes eccentricty and success can alienate a person to the point of thinking that no one else could understand. So keep Brad in your thoughts when you catch The Informers this April.
Bo Diddley
December 30th, 1928 – June 2nd, 2008
Another major contributor to some of the finest films in the past several decades also left us during 2008. He didn’t receive as much attention for his contribution to film as he spent most of his life dedicated to his passion of music. However, the art of film making wouldn’t exist without the emotional energy that it draws from an eloquent score or song. Without Bo Diddley I don’t think I would have walked away the same from such films as Short Circuit 2 (one of the few iconic sequels of my generation), Goodfellas (the most quoted film in my everyday life), The Cutting Edge (yes I fear no genre), Gone in Sixty Seconds (yes a Nic Cage film is on my favorites list), and most recently his work in the pop culture and personal contemporary classic Juno. He will always be remembered in the subconscious of cinema where people will hum his songs while they walk down the street to be reminded of a time in their life where they felt happiness. So next time you watch a new film with a terrible score or an annoying soundtrack say to your friends, “That was nothing at all compared to Bo Diddley!” I think if he’s watching somewhere he’d appreciate that.
Michael Crichton
October 23rd, 1942 – November 4th, 2008
Following the sad news of the death of Michael Crichton was the news that the Jurassic Park franchise would not continue due to the studio and film makers not wanting to take a chance in disgracing his memory. This shows the power of film and how it brings together influence from all art forms (as I mentioned with Bo Diddley’s musical contributions). Most will say that “a book is always better than a movie,” and no statement makes me more upset. The two mediums can’t be judged side by side using the same criteria, but only as independent works molded to inspire a larger audience. I look at Crichton as one of my writing role models. I’m sure seeing his characters come alive while being treated so respectfully by such film makers as Steven Speilberg was a surreal experience that most only dream of. Perhaps someday someone will pay homage to his story with a reimagining of their own, but I agree with the studio on their decision that “maybe they shouldn’t mess with it.”
Isaac Hayes
August 20th, 1942 – August 10th, 2008
“Hello Children.” Two words that will immediately bring a person to mind for most of the generation X population. Not many long lasting actors can successfully make the transition from one genre to another, and in the case of Isaac Hayes, we saw just that. An actor who could bounce between action (Escape From New York/LA, Miami Vice, The A Team, Johnny Mnemonic), drama (Reindeer Games, Flipper, Shaft, Hustle and Flow), comedy (South Park, Robin Hood Men in Tights, Dr. Dolittle 2), and even some campy horror (Tales from the Crypt, Return to Sleepaway Camp). As I commented on before, Isaac Hayes was like most artists and didn’t restrict his interests to only film. Hayes contributed music in such films as American Gangster, Zodiac, Lord of War, Kill Bill, We Were Soldiers, Shaft, and 8 Mile. Even though most remember him as the lovable Chef from South Park, Isaac Hayes was a talented man with a dynamic set of talents which we were lucky to enjoy in any form they came. So grab some friends this year and leave your logic at the door while you enjoy his final piece of work before his passing. Return to Sleepaway Camp will most likely be a direct to DVD release, but that doesn’t mean you can’t lose your inhibitions in a case of beer while enjoying its complete ridiculousness with a group of friends in honor of the late Mr. Isaac Hayes.
Bernie Mac
October 5th, 1957 – August 9th, 2008
Bernie Mac was tragically taken from us also this year as another rising star who was just starting to find their niche in the entertainment world. I measure up Soderbergh’s Oceans trilogy to any heist movies I see to this day and Mac is a huge component in that films melding of comedy, action, and debauchery. Bernie would emit an aura of confidence when I’d see videos of him pursuing his other love of poker around the tables and it was infectious to everyone around him. Bad Santa is my favorite Christmas time flick and we can’t forget his comedic genius in Friday or Life. His departure film will be the upcoming Old Dogs which is a respectable finish to an excellent career starring beside John Travolta and Robin Williams. I’m reminded of a quote I read back when he was doing press for Oceans 13 and can only hope he’s found a place to grill his lobsters.
“When I get a chance I go on a boat with family and good people, I take the boat out and put some lobsters on the grill, get an ice cold beer and some cigars…that’s heaven here on Earth.”
[in regards to how he views his recent Hollywood success]
Robert Prosky
December 13th, 1930 – December 8th, 2008
Robert Prosky may not have been as well known in recent days as he should have been, but his influence transcends generations. As I mentioned my favorite Christmas time flick above my mother also has a favorite which undoubtedly is screened at least once around the holidays, who we have Mr. Prosky to thank for. Even though most would cite Miracle on 34th Street as his claim to fame, I know Robert Prosky from a different time in his career, but that doesn’t make him any less pertinent in my upbringing and I’m sure he will continue to influence generations. The most notable performances that come to mind for me would have to be Gremlins 2, Rudy, Mrs. Doubtfire, and Last Action Hero which are a few quintessential films of my childhood, and all show how diverse the man’s career really was. All four of the most memorable performances to me are completely unrelated parts and any actor who can circumvent type casting has taken a huge leap into the world of everlasting cinema. So go see his final film this year ,The Skeptic, where the main character searches for a greater meaning in life and I can only hope that mystery has been solved for the great Robert Prosky in the afterlife.
Roy Schneider
November 10th, 1932 – February 10th, 2008
“The important thing is to do good work; no matter what medium you do it in.” A quote which reaffirms my previous statements about film being a collection of mediums with artists from all backgrounds coming together and collaborating. I thank Roy Schneider for his horror genre defining role in Jaws and I truly believe that to be the birth of suspense in my film growth as a child. The number of film makers who I’ve heard list that film as their primary influence for their current work is incalculable. Most of these industry defining technological advancements just wouldn’t have worked had it not been for the perfectly executed action sequences performed by Schneider. It’s a shame that following that great performance I can only really name two other projects which I remember really enjoying which would be The Peacemaker and The Rainmaker. However, if you want to honor this great man this year show your support for his final project, Iron Cross where Schneider plays a retired cop who seeks vengeance when he finds out where the commander who killed his whole family during World War II is holding up and exacts his merciless revenge.
Don LaFontaine
August 26th, 1940 – September 1st, 2008
As I’ve been saying, film is a collaborative art form all on its own, and with film must also come trailers. Even the best movie can be doomed by a bad trailer (as seen in the recent trailer for the upcoming Fighting). When we lost voiceover legend Don LaFontaine, we underestimated the power of his booming voice to give us the chills down our spine we’re all looking for during the trailers of an upcoming blockbuster. My old boss was very passionate about his previous work in radio and even made a hobby out of impressions and voice-overs which showed me that people can find art in everything and LaFontaine is definitely a proponent of that idea. To do something as simple as reading the words on a page with such perfection is the true definition of passion. LaFontaine represents the taken for granted contributors to the film industry and he will be sincerely missed.
Sydney Pollack
July 1st, 1934 – May 26th, 2008
The definition of the phrase “a jack of all trades” can be seen by examining the career of Sydney Pollack. A true actor, director, producer, and even cinematographer Pollack was so enamored by his work that his curiosity took him all over the film industry, so it’s no wonder why his death has affected so many in the industry. His credits include such films as The Interpreter, Sketches of Frank Gehry, The Firm, The Reader, Leatherheads, Michael Clayton, Cold Mountain, The Talented Mr. Ripley, and like I said before, Pollack was the kind of guy who would always be looking over everyone’s shoulder on set in hopes of learning something new. In looking through his career achievements there are so many films that he had a hand in that I never knew he was even involved in (Catch a Fire, Recount, etc) which goes to show how dedicated to the film industry this man really was. Something tells me that early on in his career he was the guy who volunteered for a project even though he hadn’t acquired the necessary skills yet and than figured out how to complete it along the way.
Charlton Heston
October 4th, 1923 – April 5th, 2008
The two bookends holding up my personally priceless film collection are that of the Aliens saga and all 5 of the classic Planet of the Apes which played defining roles in my film tastes. Charlton Heston has one of the most detailed careers of any actor in Hollywood and even though he played a more relevant role during the cinema of the baby boomer generation he still holds a special place to me for his continued influence on the films of today. I also remember my Father sitting me down as a kid while we watched all of them in only a few days and any film that he had to show me was usually a special one from his childhood too so I was just as interested (the only other ones he did this for were Star Wars and Indiana Jones). Heston has also influenced remakes of films such as The Omega Man (I am Legend), Dark City, and Ben Hur along with his extensive television career as well. I bet you didn’t know that he was also the narrator in the Michael Bay Summer blockbuster Armageddon. Heston was very influential in the politics behind film along with the art which made him a powerful voice in the industry.
Paul Newman
January 26th, 1925 – September 26th, 2008
Another man with an as impressive film record as Heston would most definitely be Paul Newman. Though his career in film left us with many gems of art to take with us and inspire us forever; his career as a philanthropist changed the lives of millions of individuals when he founded “Newman’s Own” where 100% of the profits go to charity. This foundation will continue to live on and change the lives of others in Newman’s name and that’s something that transcends the fantasy world of film. An Oscar winning actor his credits include such films as The Hudsucker Proxy, Slap Shot, Butch Cassidey and the Sundance Kid, Cool Hand Luke, The Color of Money, Cars, and Road to Perdition. Four of those movies I studied extensively during my film classes and that just shows you how much Newman’s caliber of work affected the lives of my professors who all had nearly perfect film palettes. Newman is the epitome of a struggling actor (born to a family who owned a Sporting Goods store) and gives everyone who aspires to follow in his footsteps a kind of hope that the struggle doesn’t have to last forever. After his first studio film, The Silver Chalice (1954), Newman took out a full page ad in the paper apologizing to the public for his performance and promising his next would be better. A bold move and a lesson to all struggling artists that sometimes the drastic and absurd can make you stand out and give you a second chance when all hope seems lost.
George Carlin
May 12th, 1937 – June 22nd, 2008
As Jaws represents my introduction to true suspense in horror film, the work of George Carlin represents the first stand up humor I found to replace what I previously thought was funny. When I discovered Carlin’s stand up videos I began to open my eyes to his observations and it helped me form the man I am today politically, socially, and religiously. His transition to the world of film was a welcome one and his character of Rufus in the Bill and Ted series remains timeless to this day. Usually when I go back and watch comedy that is over a decade old I have trouble relating it to the current times due to the way our idea of humor evolves with time. Bill and Ted is one of those films that I will always find hilarious and throw in some of Carlin’s stand-up and you’ll see where the likes of John Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Bill Maher, Joe Rogan, Dave Chappelle, Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno, David Letterman, and many many other contemporary comedic stars draw their inspirations from. I always enjoyed his collaborations with one of my favorite directors, Kevin Smith, as well in films such as Dogma, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. When Carlin passed I remember the late night scene was a somber one of past clips of the great star along with tears from the modern day comedic stand up connoisseurs of our time. Carlin showed us that even though obscenity can be used as a tool for laughter it’s the greater purpose and passion for fixing the absurdity in society that drives these comedic geniuses.
Heath Ledger
April 4th, 1979 – January 22nd, 2008
The name on everyone’s mind throughout 2008 was that of another young actor who was taken by the pressures of Hollywood too soon. Heath Ledger’s performance in The Dark Knight was a bitter sweet experience for me as I tried to savor every last minute of his flawless performance. As many are predicting Ledger will most likely take home the Oscar this year for his disturbing portrayal of The Joker, so I look forward to hearing the thoughts of his family in what will be a very emotional scene for everyone. I remember the comments on the web after Ledger was first chosen to play the role, and they weren’t the most gracious or constructive, which can definitely take a toll on the human spirit. The constant criticism can either help you earn respect in the industry or it can completely destroy you from the inside out. Ledger’s career had just started and to lose another unique voice in the Hollywood universe is something that the industry just couldn’t afford. I can’t see how anyone could top Ledger’s Joker in the next Nolan masterpiece and that may be why Nolan is quoted as questioning if the artistic motivation is even there to do a third because as he says, “How many good third movies in a franchise can people even name?” This just shows the influence one man can play in Hollywood where people aren’t easily replaced or forgotten and can drive the decisions of an industry after they’ve passed away. We will, however, get to see Ledger in one final masterpiece from Terry Gilliam, the mind who created such psychedelic masterpieces as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Ledger died during the filming of The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus and three A-list actors were contacted by the studio in an attempt to finish the film in a way that would pay tribute to Ledger rather than attempt to cash in on a partly completed film. Ledger will be starring alongside Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Colin Farrell in his final curtain call for The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus so be sure not to miss it.
Stan Winston
April 7th, 1946 – June 15th, 2008
I saved the final tribute for one of the most looked up to individuals in my life who is none other than the iconic costume construction wizard, Stan Winston. One of the more recent photos that I came across was while reading Jeff Bridges blog following the release of Iron Man last year. You can see Stan amongst his countless creature creations with the actors portraying his latest characters standing in front of him and his genuinely nerdy smile. My passion for Stan’s work stems from his passion for combining both art and science where the end product becomes our definitive view of what a photo-realistic mythical creature would actually look like. To me, Stan was the first man to step away from the fake looking rubber suits and paved the way for the inevitable industry future of computer generated effects. CGI will never come close to replacing the care and thought that Stan put into every piece he created, but his work definitely influenced the progression and imagining of computer generated makeup and set pieces. From the Predator series, to the aforementioned Jurassic Park series Stan could create for any time period and any type of obscure creature the film maker threw at him. He also heavily contributed to such franchises as The Terminator, Friday the 13th, Batman, Aliens, and Dracula. When you think about all these pop culture staples of our time the image that comes to mind is the picture that Stan Winston created for you and for that we all must appreciate this man for the impact he left on this Earth with his departure. With four Academy Awards there’s no question that Stan Winston was an integral part in modeling the films and film makers we follow today. You will be greatly missed Mr. Winston and I will do my best to keep your memory alive. If you wish to do the same than show your support for Terminator Salvation seeing as that was the last project he placed his golden touch on.
As I said at the exposition, this list is much longer than I would have wanted, but I felt it would have been a disservice to each of these amazing people to try and shorten it. I wrote this as a way to find my own sort of closure for these great men who I have grown to feel close to due to my love of the film making process; I hope it can bring others out there some sort of closure as well. As I said though, I believe that each of these iconic figures will continue to affect the decisions of the younger generation of film makers climbing their way to the top.
The Academy Awards:Â In Memorium Video
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Author: Matt Peloquin (21 Articles)
Since I was a boy I've been completely obsessed with the world of film. My first viewing of Toy Story led me into the area of animation particularly, but since than I've branched out to become more of a cinephile than just an effects artist. I attended Rochester Institute of Technology for Network Security with a minor in creative writing where I elected to take mostly film related courses. I also attended Gnomon School of Visual Effects where I developed my passion for the illusion of effects in relation to films. Some of my favorite films include Children of Men, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Back to the Future, The Big Lebowski, The Fountain, Pitch Black, The Wackness, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Wizard of Oz, Clerks, The Abyss, and Into the Wild. I am a true fanatic of film and would like to use my involvement in Iconocritic.com to be introduced to others as passionate as I am about my pursuit. To name just a few of the people I've followed throughout my life that I've extracted so much aspired value from would have to be Stan Winston, James Cameron, Darren Aronofsky, Kevin Smith, Charlie Kaufmann, John Lasseter, and Joel and Ethan Coen because each and every one of them worked their way from the bottom to the top without relying on their family inherited connections to the industry; something I greatly admire.
06 Jun 2009, 7:22 am
'District 9' (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1136608/) seems a major oversight in this list. That said, an excellent list. Thank you for the time and effort you've put into compiling it. Some of those titles show real promise. It looks like 2009 will be a great year for sci-fi.
05 Jul 2009, 1:59 pm
Hi! nice article and very interesting read. Just need to point out that Baz Lurhmann is not Swedish, but in fact Australian. Which makes sense, doesn't it? =)