Mamma Mia! Series (2008 & 2018)

Mamma Mia! Series (2008 & 2018)

Mamma Mia! was a hit Broadway musical featuring the music of Swedish musical group ABBA. In 2008 a film version of the hit show was released theatrically. It became a Summer box office smash hit over night. A decade later, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! (2018), a sequel to the first hit film, sometimes called: Mamma Mia! 2, was released. Below are the reviews for the two films.

Mamma Mia! (2008)

C – 108m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mamma Mia! The Movie
Dir.: Phyllida Lloyd
Writer (Music Book and Script): Catherine Johnson
Exec. Pro.: Tom Hanks, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Rita Wilson
Music by: Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus
Starring: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Colin Firth, Julie Walters, Christine Baranski, Dominic Cooper, Heather Emmanuel, Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus.

A bride to be tries to find her real father; featuring the songs of the hit 1970’s group ABBA. Arguably the feel good movie of 2008! The film was a box office smash and it is easy to see why. Streep, Seyfried and the rest of the cast are in fine form and the music is fun. Note: Notice the music swells when Brosnan sings. 

Trivia:

Pierce Brosnan signed onto the film knowing only that Meryl Streep was set to star and that it would be filmed in Greece. The cast members performed their own singing. Streep recorded the vocals for her rendition of, “The Winner Takes It All,” in one take. The, “Slipping Through My Fingers,” song scene features Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried laughing in a short clip. The crew blasted heavy metal music to get that footage. At the start of, ‘Dancing Queen,” the mirror next to Streep’s bed features Seyfried’s professional head shot and at the end of, “Our Last Summer,” Streep is holding a real baby picture of Seyfried. Several scenes such as “I Have A Dream,” were shot during the day but changed to evening or night in post–production. Cher was originally offered the role of Tanya but turned it down. She would go on to be in the sequel film: Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again (2018). And: The Colin Firth line, “I’m Bright, Harry Bright,” is a spoof of the, “Bond, James Bond,” line in the 007 films; hence his delivery of it next to Pierce Brosnan.

Golden Globe nominee for: Best Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical and Best Actress – Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical – Meryl Streep.

Followed by: Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again (2018).
Rated: [PG–13] – Some Sex Related Comments
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

Mamma Mia!: Here We Go Again (2018)

C – 114m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Mamma Mia! 2
Idea Originally Conceived By: Judy Craymer
Based On The Music By: Catherine Johnson
Story By: Richard Curtis, Ol Parker and Catherine Johnson
Screenplay By: Ol Parker
Exec. Prod.s: Benny Andersson, Richard Curtis, Tom Hanks and Bjorn Ulvaeus
Dir.: Ol Parker
Starring: Lily James, Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep, Dominic Cooper, Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, Christine Baranski, Colin Firth, Cher, Julie Walters, Jeremy Irvine, Andy Garcia, Josh Dylan, Hugh Skinner, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Alexa Davies and Bjorn Ulvaeus.
Music By: Benny Andersson, Anne Dudley and Bjorn Ulvaeus

Sophie learns about her mother’s past while pregnant herself. This was a step down from the mega hit a decade earlier. It is contrived to say the least and it shows in the “story” of the film. However the songs are fun, the cast is fantastic and the visual and audio aesthetics are perfect. So why complain too much. The stronger acting is done by the now seasoned actors: Streep, Seyfried, Brosnan, Skarsgard, Firth, Baranski, Walters, Garcia, Cher and Cooper, but the actors playing the younger versions of Streep, Brosnan, Skarsgard, Baranski, Firth and Walters show great promise. Pierce Brosnan performs a particularly touching scene in the film when he quietly warbles S.O.S. while looking at a picture of the younger Streep character. This may not be the caliber of the first one, and at that may still be of little to no interest of some people, but if given a chance, there is still a spark of warmth to it that a lot of films, released around the time of this one, don’t have. For that reason alone, it is worth watching.

Trivia:

This film was released exactly 10 years after the first one. Meryl Streep (Donna in this film series) filmed all her scenes in one week. Julie Walters was given a day off from the Shepperton Studios filming in November 2017 so she could attend an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where she was made a Dame Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. Cher, who played Meryl Streep’s mother and Amanda Seyfried’s grandmother in this film, was actually only 3 years older than Meryl Streep. ABBA member, Bjorn Ulvaeus, makes a cameo during the number: “When I kissed The Teacher”. ABBA member Benny Andersson appears as a University Chancellor during young Donna’s graduation. Cher was originally offered the role of Tanya in the first film but turned it down. A decade later she took a role in this film. Cher also handpicked Andy Garcia to play Fernando out of a bunch of selected actors. The film choreographer is the same choreographer who worked with the traveling Mamma Mia! North American Farewell Tour. The reveal of Bill Anderson’s twin was referenced in the first film with the line: “You’re not going to tell me you have a twin sister, are you?”

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Suggestive Material
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ocean’s Films (1960 – Present)

Ocean’s Films (1960 – Present)

After the moderate success of Some Came Running (1958) and the failure of The Thin Man: The Television Show (1957–1959), in 1959, Peter Lawford approached Frank Sinatra with a project about a group of old paratroopers who pull off a big heist in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve. Both Sinatra and Lawford agreed (one of the few times they did) that it would be a good vehicle for “The Summit” (“The Rat Pack”). With five out of the eleven heisters automatically cast, the rest was just phone calls away. The production occurred in Las Vegas, Nevada on sets mostly, but when they could they would shoot in the casinos. At night the Sinatra and the guys (some say, “boys”) would, “play,” at The Sands Hotel and Casino, Sinatra’s favorite place. They would hold court with some booze but mostly props of various kinds and do shows from around 8:00pm or 9:00pm at night and get done around 2:00am or 3:00am in the morning. If Martin or anyone else, who didn’t want to spend the rest of the night awake talking to Frank until production resumed the next morning, were lucky, they would get to bed around that time and get a few hours rest before the events would repeat the next day.

Those shows featured some of the best in the entertainment world, both on the stage and ringside (audience). On a given night, aside from seeing Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford, one could see Milton Berle, Red Skelton, Don Rickles, Buddy Hackett, Shirley MacLaine, Bob Hope, and / or other notables, including the spouses of said performers. Language was sometimes course but the jokes were always funny and the songs were standards for each of the singers. Sometime a novelty song would show up. No one was safe from the barbs and if a known comedian was in the audience, you could bet (it was Las Vegas after all) that he or she would be called to the stage to do a bit of their act or interact with the boys. The shows proved so popular that they became a regular thing over the years both in Vegas and in later years on the road. Some clips of various shows can be found on YouTube (The Summit or The Rat Pack At The Sands or At The Copacabana). There is also a special from the 1960’s that Sinatra and company did for charity with Johnny Carson on closed circuit television. While this would give you a more complete and sanitized version of what a given show would look like, please do not mistake it for what was being done in Vegas at the time of the filming of Ocean’s 11 (1960).

Getting back to that production: The result of the long days during the production schedule is a movie that has painted Las Vegas as an adult’s playground for over 50 years. It was remade in 2001, which then spun off a series, ending in 2007, and that series in turn spun off a all female series starting in 2018. Below are the film reviews and notes accompanying each series.

Ocean’s 11 (1960)

C – 127m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ocean’s Eleven
Story: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Screenplay: Harry Brown and Charles Lederer
Uncredited Contribution: Billy Wilder
Prod. – Dir.: Lewis Milestone
Assoc. Prod.: Henry W. Sanicola
Starring: Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford, Angie Dickinson, Richard Conte, Cesar Romero, Patrice Wymore, Joey Bishop, Akim Tamiroff, Henry Silva, Ilka Chase, Buddy Lester, Richard Benedict, Jean Willes, Norman Fell, Clem Harvey, Hank Henry, Red Skelton, George Raft, Robert Brice, John Holland, Murray Alper, Don Anderson, Don “Red” Barry, Majorie Bennett, Richard Boone, Paul Bryar, John Craven, Gregory Gaye, John George, Hoot Gibson, Joe Gray, Brad Harris, Shirley MacLaine, Charles Meredith, Anne Neyland, William H. O’Brien, Steve Pendleton, Jack Perrin, Carmen Phillips, Fred Rapport, Joan Staley and George E. Stone.
Music: Nelson Riddle
Songs: “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head” by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen – Performed by: Dean Martin
“Eee-O-Eleven” – Performed By: Sammy Davis, Jr.

A group of WWII paratroopers join forces to pull of the biggest heist in Las Vegas history: five hotels / casinos in one night – New Year’s Eve! Splendid fun with The Summit / “Rat Pack” offers plenty of laughs and some fun music. Be aware that some of the humor is considered racist by today’s standards but was meant in fun and as social commentary back when the film was made and released. That noted, the film has fine performances, is light fare and has music that will have one bouncing in time with it. Pacing may be slow for kids but teens on should be able to appreciate the film.

Trivia: Sammy Davis, Jr. was not allowed to stay at any of the major hotels / casinos in Vegas until Frank Sinatra and separately Jerry Lewis confronted them (the casinos / hotels) about it, thus breaking the color barrier. Patrice Whymore adlibbed throwing the candy dish during that scene with Sinatra and his friends, hence the genuine look of surprise on their faces. Shirley MacLaine adlibbed her drunk cameo and got a car as compensation from Warner Brothers. Her line, “I’m so drunk I don’t think I lay down without holding on,” was a rehash of a line attributed to Dean Martin that was actually Martin quoting comedian Joe E. Lewis. MacLaine filmed her cameo while on a break from Billy Wilder’s The Apartment (1960). She said she took the job, although compensated as noted with a car, as an excuse to hang out with Sinatra and company and see their Vegas show. Tony Curtis, Jackie Gleason and Milton Berle were all originally offered Cameo roles.

Additional Trivia Note: There were reported high-jinx of firecrackers being set off in one another’s shoes, and other pranks; like locking one another in the bathroom performed by Sinatra, Martin, Davis, Bishop and Lawford during the filming of this movie. Wouldn’t it have been great to have some of that available on the video releases?!  And / or some outtakes?!

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

 After the mild success of the Ocean’s 11 film, Frank Sinatra and his group would, in various forms go on to make other films together. Starting from the beginning, just prior to Ocean’s Eleven, they go as follows:

1.) Some Came Running (1958) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Shirley MacLaine (See review)
2.) The Thin Man: The Television Show (1957–1959) – Peter Lawford – guest star Frank Sinatra (See review)
3.) Ocean’s 11 (1960) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, Pater Lawford, Henry Silva, Cesar Romero etc. (as noted above). (See above review)
4.) Sergeants 3 (1962) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford – the boys out west ripping off Gunga Din. (See review)
5.) Convicts 4 (1962) featured Ben Gazzara of John Cassavetes’ “Rat Pack” and Sammy Davis, Jr., amongst many notable others.  (See review)
6.) The Road To Hong Kong (1962) – A series entry in the Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour series noted for a huge amount of cameos. Amongst them: Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra (as it pertains to this entry – see other entries for more information). (See review)
7.) The Manchurian Candidate (1962) – Frank Sinatra, and others as noted in the blog about the two titled films, features Henry Silva from Ocean’s 11.
8.) Johnny Cool (1963) – Henry Silva, Sammy Davis, Jr., many other notables and Executive Produced by Peter Lawford. (See review)
9.) Come Blow Your Horn (1963) – Stars Frank Sinatra with a cameo by Dean Martin. (See review)
10.) 4 For Texas (1963) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and others…
11.) Robin And The Seven Hoods (1964) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., others from Ocean’s 11, Bing Crosby from Road To Hong Kong (1962), Peter Falk from John Cassavetes’ “Rat Pack” and several other notable folks.
12.) Marriage On The Rocks (1965) – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Cesar Romero amongst other notables. (See review)
13 & 14.) The Tony Rome films (Tony Rome (1967) and Lady In Cement (1968) – see the blog about them for details) featured “in” jokes by Sinatra about Davis, Martin and some of his (Sinatra’s) romantic history. Actor Richard Conte also starred in the films with Sinatra. (See review)
15 – 19.) The Matt Helm films (1966 – 1968) featured Dean Martin taking joking jabs at Frank Sinatra. (See review)
20 & 21.) And Salt And Pepper (1968) and One More Time (1970) teamed Sammy Davis, Jr. and Peter Lawford, the latter being directed by Jerry Lewis. (See review)
22.) Contract On Cherry Street – Starring Frank Sinatra and Henry Silva, amongst others.
23 & 24.) The Cannonball Run (1981) – A huge cast that included Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.… & The Cannonball Run II (1984) – In addition to the big cast that features Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., Frank Sinatra has a cameo. (See review)

None of this includes the numerous television specials and appearances by the various members of the Ocean’s group in which there may be other members or joking references to other members.

Some 40 years after Ocean’s 11 (1960), George Clooney and his, for lack of a better term, “Rat Pack” did a trilogy of Ocean’s films. Below are the reviews.

Ocean’s Eleven (2001)

C – 116m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ocean’s 11, O11, 11
Original Story: George Clayton Jonson and Jack Golden Russell
Original Screenplay: Harry Brown and Charles Lederer
Original Uncredited Contribution: Billy Wilder
Screenplay: Ted Griffin
Dir.: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Paul L. Nolan, Bernie Mac, Brad Pitt, Mark Gantt, Tim Perez, Elliott Gould, Frank Patton, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Eddie Jemison, Miguel Perez, Shaobo Qin, Carl Reiner, Lennox Lewis, Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Michael DeLano, Julia Roberts, Robin Sachs, J.P. Manoux, Jerry Weintraub, Henry Silva, Eydie Gorme, Angie Dickinson, Steve Lawrence, Wayne Newton, Rusty Meyers, Scott L. Schwartz, Don Cheadle (uncredited), Holly Marie Combs, Jaime Gallagher, Steven Soderbergh, Emanuel Steward, Barry Watson and Shane West.
Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh

Danny Ocean assembles eleven guys to rob three casinos in Las Vegas simultaneously and tries to win back his ex–wife. Fairly quick paced action thriller that reimagines the, “…11”, story for the modern age comes off well. Almost everything works here, especially the major misdirection of the story. A worthy remake!

Trivia: The script was sent to Julia Roberts with a $20 bill attached with a note from George Clooney saying, “I hear you’re getting 20 a picture now.” This was a joke in reference to Julia Roberts being the highest paid actress at $20 Million per picture at the time. Luke Wilson and Owen Wilson were offered the roles of the brothers Virgil and Turk but they dropped out to make The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). Danny Glover also turned down the role of Frank Catton. Bruce Willis was originally cast as Danny Ocean, the part Clooney plays. Don Cheadle plays a major role but is uncredited. Andy Garcia said it wasn’t easy to do a serious scene with Carl Reiner because Reiner was so funny.

Steven Soderbergh wanted to shoot the film in black and white. Warner Brothers said he could do so only if he drastically reduced the cost of the film, so he changed his mind. Henry Silva and Angie Dickinson, from the original film, make cameos here. This was Silva’s final film as he retired after it. Casey Affleck and Scott Caan adlibbed some of their lines. George Clooney and the other guys would pull pranks on Julia Roberts, like leaving a request for a 5am wakeup call on days when she didn’t need to be on the set until Noon / 12:00pm. Julia Roberts filmed all her scenes in two weeks. Jon Favreau was offered a chance to write the screenplay but turned it down. Alan Arkin was cast as Saul Bloom but dropped out for personal reasons. Don Rickles was also an early choice to play Saul Bloom. Johnny Depp was considered for the role of Linus Caldwell, the part Matt Damon plays. 

Rated: [PG–13] – Some Language & Sexual Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ocean’s Twelve (2004)

C – 125m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Honor Amongst Thieves, Ocean’s 12
Characters Created By: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Screenplay By: George Nolfi
Dir.: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta–Jones, George Clooney, Ed Kross, Julia Roberts, Don Tiffany, Andy Garcia, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Mini Anden, Shaobo Qin, Bernie Mac, Don Cheadle, Jared Harris, Matt Damon, Carl Reiner, Eddie Jemison, Elliott Gould, Nerissa Tedesco, Robbie Coltrane, Vincent Cassel, Eddie Izzard, Michael DeLano, Scott L. Schwartz, Albert Finney and Bruce Willis.
Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh (as Peter Andrews)

Danny Ocean recruits one more team member so he can pull of three major European heists. While this is an okay sequel, it does drag a bit and the scenes with Zeta–Jones feel a tad too rushed and forced. The subplot with Bruce Willis is amusing though. Solid entertainment but nothing special in this reviewer’s opinion… Others may vary. 

Trivia: It is reported that in the rough draft of the script Clint Eastwood was penciled in for a cameo as Linus’ (Matt Damon) father, Bobby Caldwell. Peter Fonda filmed the cameo as Linus’ father but it didn’t make the final cut of the film. Ricky Gervais turned down the role of Basher’s engineer. Bruce Willis, who was originally cast as Danny Ocean in the first film plays himself here.

Rated: [PG–13] – Language
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Ocean’s Thirteen (2007)

C – 122m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Danny Ocean 13, Ocean’s 13
Characters By: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Screenplay: Brian Koppelman and David Levien
Dir.: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Michael Mantell, Elliott Gould, Ray Xifo, Al Pacino, Adam Lazarre–White, Eddie Jemison, Don Cheadle, Shaobo Qin, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, Bernie Mac, Carl Reiner, Eddie Izzard, Maggie Rowe, Ellen Barkin, Jerry Weintraub, Steven Lambert, Jon Wellner, David Paymer, Vincent Cassel, Andy Garcia, Bob Einstein, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Harney, James DuMont and Scott L. Schwartz.
Cinematography By: Steven Soderbergh (as Peter Andrews)

Danny Ocean rounds up the boys for a third heist after casino owner Willy Bank double crosses one of the original eleven, Reuben Tishkoff. The third in a trilogy almost never works as well at the first, with few exceptions. This is one of those! The action and suspense are high and the pace is perfect. It hits the ground running and doesn’t let up until the very end of the film. Great use of the Frank Sinatra song: “This Town”! Everyone is in top form here.

Trivia: Matt Damon’s scene was shot in London while he was filming The Bourne Ultimatum (2007). Linus’ fake nose scheme is called, “The Brody,” after actor Adrien Brody. Al Pacino shot all his scenes in three weeks.

Rated: [PG–13] – Brief Sexuality
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

A decade after the final Ocean’s outing for Clooney and the boys, the idea of doing an all female Ocean’s film was floated and people liked the idea. This was set to be the start of a series. Below is the review.

Ocean’s Eight (2018)

C – 110m
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Ocean’s 8
Based On The Characters Created By: George Clayton Johnson and Jack Golden Russell
Story By: Gary Ross
Screenplay By: Gary Ross and Olivia Milch
Prod.: Steven Soderbergh
Dir.: Gary Ross
Starring: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchette, Griffin Dunne, Deidre Goodwin, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Gemma Forbes, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter, Elliot Gould, Richard Armitage, Charlotte Kirk, David Gibson, Dakota Fanning, James Corden, Hailey Baldwin (uncredited), Katie Holmes (uncredited), Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian West (uncredited), Jaime King (uncredited), Olivia Munn (uncredited), Matt Damon (scene deleted) and Carl Reiner (scene deleted).

 Debbie Ocean gathers together a crew to attempt an impossible heist at New York City’s annual Met Gala. Smart spin off of the Clooney remake / series of Ocean’s Eleven (2001–2007). Sandra Bullock plays the late Danny Ocean’s (George Clooney’s) sister who just out of jail puts together a crew of 8 women to pull of a Jewelry heist. There are some nice subtle touches to the film. The presence of “These Boots Are Made For Walking” on the soundtrack is a nod to the fact that Frank Sinatra was in the original Ocean’s 11 (1960), for example. James Corden plays Caesar Romero’s part of insurance investigator to the hilt. The comedy is witty, the acting is good, an attractive cast to be sure, pacing is good and the one–two punch of the real way the heist went down at the end of the film stands up against the Clooney series surprises. Don’t miss this one!   

Trivia: Elliot Gould, Matt Damon and Carl Reiner are the only three of the cast of the Clooney Ocean’s trilogy to appear in the film, though Soderbergh did produce. Elizabeth Banks was approached about a role but dropped out. Sarah Paulson was later cast. Cate Blanchett has the Brad Pitt role in this one. Jennifer Lawrence was offered a role but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts.

Rated: [PG–13] – Language, Drug Use, & Some Suggestive Content
Available on 4K & Regular Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Godfather Trilogy:

The Godfather (1972)

C – 175m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy)
A.K.A.: Mario Puzo’s The Godfather
Co–Writer – Dir.: Francis Ford Coppola
Co–Writer: Mario Puzo
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Richard S. Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, Diane Keaton, Abe Vigoda, Talia Shire, John Cazale, Al Martino, Carmine Coppola, Gian–Carlo Coppola, Italia Coppola, Roman Coppola and Sophia Coppola.

An Italian mob family is on the brink of power changing hands in the 1930’s. A masterpiece to be sure! The film was so successful that it spawned two sequels in the official trilogy, a made for TV sequel, two made for TV re-cuts of the first two films in the series and a few spoofs in different films.

Interesting information about the film: Let’s get this one out of the way first: The horse head was real. They got it from a glue factory and it was shipped to the set in dry ice. Additionally, Mario Puzo didn’t write the scene in the first draft of the script because he thought that the Hollywood censors wouldn’t like it. Coppola decided to shoot it while they were making the movie.  The scene was never officially added to the script that was used for shooting. The actor in the scene was a method actor by the way. That being the case he went to take a nap on the bed because he wasn’t feeling too well.

The studio did not want Al Pacino for the role of Michael. Coppola fought and got him the part. Marlon Brando refused to memorize lines. Instead there were cue cards hidden all around the set for him to read. This is the film that is infamous for using real life mobsters as part of the cast. Also when Brando won his Best Actor Oscar® he sent a Native American woman to accept it and preach about the issues that the Native Americans were having. This pissed Hollywood off quite a bit.

Lenny Montana (Luca Brasi) was so nervous about working with Marlon Brando that, in the first take of their scene together, he flubbed some lines. Francis Ford Coppola liked the genuine nervousness and used it in the final cut. The scenes of Brasi practicing his speech were added later. The scene where Sonny beats up Carlo (Connie's husband) took four days to shoot and featured more than 700 extras. James Caan improvised the use of the garbage can lid.

The smack that Vito gives Johnny Fontane was not in the script. Marlon Brando improvised the smack and Al Martino's confused reaction was real. According to James Caan, "Martino didn't know whether to laugh or cry." Marlon Brando wanted to make Don Corleone "look like a bulldog," so he stuffed his cheeks with cotton wool for the audition. For the actual filming, he wore a mouthpiece made by a dentist. This appliance is on display in the American Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York.

James Caan improvised the part where he throws the FBI photographer to the ground. The extra's frightened reaction is genuine. Al Pacino boycotted the Academy Awards ceremony, angry that he was nominated for the Academy Award Supporting Actor, noting that his character had more screen time than his costar, Best Lead Actor nominee (and winner) Marlon Brando.

According to Mario Puzo, the character of Johnny Fontane was NOT based on Frank Sinatra. However, everyone assumed that it was, and Sinatra was furious; when he met Puzo at a restaurant he screamed vulgar terms and threats at Puzo. Sinatra was also vehemently opposed to the film. Due to this backlash, Fontane's role in the film was scaled down to a couple of scenes. According to Francis Ford Coppola, the film took 62 days to shoot. Orson Welles lobbied to get the part of Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather (1972), even offering to lose a good deal of weight in order to get the role. Francis Ford Coppola, a Welles fan, had to turn him down because he already had Marlon Brando in mind for the role and felt Welles wouldn't be right for it.

Director Francis Ford Coppola worked with relatives in this film, (making it a family film in many contexts). In chronological order of appearance:

1.)   His sister, Talia Shire, portrayed Connie Corleone throughout the trilogy.

2.)   His mother, Italia Coppola, serves as an extra in the restaurant meeting.

3.)   His father, Carmine Coppola, is the piano player in the Mattress sequence and he composed the music.

4.)   His sons, Gian-Carlo Coppola and Roman Coppola, can be seen as extras in the scene where Sonny beats up Carlo, and he is at the funeral.

5.)   And his daughter, Sofia Coppola, is the baby, Michael Rizzi, in the baptism (she was three weeks old at the time of shooting).

There is a plethora of information about the film. I could go on trying to list it all. Instead I will refer you to books about it and the Internet – IMDB.com.

Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Godfather Part II (1974)

C – 202m / 220m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Blu – ray, DVD & Digital Copy)
Co–Writer – Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Co–Writer: Mario Puzo
Starring: Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, Talia Shire, Lee Strasberg, Michael V. Gazzo, James Caan, Abe Vigoda, Harry Dean Stanton, Roger Corman, Roman Coppola, Sophia Coppola, Richard Matheson, and Tony Sirico.

Michael Corleone is trying to expand and tighten his grip on his crime syndicate stretching from Lake Tahoe, Nevada to pre-revolution 1958 Cuba. This is paralleled / compared and possibly contrasted by the story of young Vito Corleone’s rise to the top of the empire, from childhood until his peak. The film takes place in 1901, 1917, 1920, 1923, 1941, 1958, 1959 and 1960. They said it couldn’t be done, but he did it. Francis Ford Coppola mad a smash hit sequel to his and Mario Puzo’s classic, The Godfather (1972). Everything works here. A MUST watch! Robert De Niro won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar®. The film also won Oscars® for: Best Picture, Best Director (Coppola), Best Writing Adaption, Best Art Direction – Set Decoration and Best Original Dramatic Score. It was additionally nominated for: Best Actor (Pacino), Best Supporting Actor (Michael V. Gazzo), Best Supporting Actor (Lee Strasberg), Best Supporting Actress (Talia Shire) and Best Costume Design.

Fun trivia is this:

Robert De Niro auditioned for and was almost cast in The Godfather (1972) in a minor role. When Francis Ford Coppola was casting this film, he saw Mean Streets (1973) and knew he wanted De Niro for a major role in this sequel. In this movie, and in his previous film Mean Streets (1973), Robert De Niro is seen running over the rooftops of Little Italy during the annual Feast of San Rocco festival.

To prepare for his role, Robert De Niro lived in Sicily for three months. De Niro spent four months learning to speak the Sicilian dialect in order to play Vito Corleone. Nearly all the dialogue that his character speaks in the film was in Sicilian. The language spoken by the actors in the flashback part is not formal Italian, but a combination of southern Italian dialects (mostly Sicilian). In the scene in which young Vito negotiates with Signor Roberto on the street, a passerby interrupts to say hello to Vito. Carmelo Russo was an extra who was supposed to just walk by but he improvised speaking to Vito. Francis Ford Coppola did not like that Russo interrupted the scene. But Robert De Niro liked that it showed how much people in the neighborhood respected Vito and he convinced Coppola to keep Russo's line.

There was much debate over whether Robert De Niro should grow a mustache for the scenes where young Vito is a few years older but De Niro couldn't decide. In the end, De Niro tossed a coin. For the scenes where Vito returns to Sicily, he even gained weight and wore a smaller version of the dental appliance Marlon Brando wore in the first film.

Marlon Brando and Robert De Niro are the only two actors to ever win separate Oscars for playing the same character. Brando won Best Actor for The Godfather (1972) and De Niro won Best Supporting Actor for this movie, both in the role of Vito Corleone. This was the first sequel to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. As of 2015, Robert De Niro is one of only five actors (with Sophia Loren, Roberto Benigni, Benicio Del Toro, and Marion Cotillard) to win an Academy Award for a role primarily in a language other than English, since almost all of his dialogue in this film is in Italian.

Francis Ford Coppola and Mario Puzo won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay even though half of the script was adapted and half was original. The story of Michael Corleone is original, while the story of the young Vito Corleone came from The Godfather (1972) novel but was not used in the first film.

Although Nino Rota's score for The Godfather (1972) was withdrawn from an Oscar® nomination because he reused the same theme from his previous score for Fortunella (1958), he was still awarded the Oscar for Best Original Score for the sequel, even though it used the same love theme from the first film. This was the first film sequel to receive five Academy Award Nominations for acting. Talia Shire (Best Actress In A Supporting Role), Lee Strasberg (Best Actor In A Supporting Role), Michael V. Gazzo (Best Actor In A Supporting Role) and Al Pacino (Best Actor) all received nominations, while Robert De Niro took home the Oscar® for Best Actor In A Supporting Role.

Robert De Niro became the only actor to win an Oscar for taking over another actor's Oscar®-winning performance. He was not, however, the first or last such actor to be nominated for this. Gérard Depardieu was nominated for Best Actor in Cyrano de Bergerac (1990), a role that had already won an Oscar® for Jose Ferrer. Like Brando, Ferrer had played his role in English. Like De Niro, Depardieu played the role in the character's native language; in this case French. Years later, Jeff Bridges would be nominated for his performance in True Grit (1969). John Wayne had won his only Oscar for his performance in the original film, which also featured Robert Duvall.

This was the first sequel film to win the Oscar® for Best Picture. This feat would not be repeated until nearly three decades later, when the award was given to The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).

Al Pacino worked extensively with Marlon Brando and Richard S. Castellano in the first film, but he worked with neither of their replacements in this film. Decades later, however, he would have the chance. He appeared together with Robert De Niro in Heat (1995) and Righteous Kill (2008). He also appeared with Bruno Kirby in Donnie Brasco (1997). Al Pacino caused problems throughout production, demanding a massive salary and heavy script rewrites, then threatening to leave due to Francis Ford Coppola's slow-paced filming. Filming was delayed for a month after Al Pacino developed pneumonia on location in Santo Domingo. Danny Aiello's line, "Michael Corleone says hello", was completely ad-libbed. Francis Ford Coppola loved it and asked him to do it again in the retakes.

Francis Ford Coppola considered bringing Marlon Brando back to play Vito Corleone as a young man, convinced that he could play at any age. As he worked on the script, though, he remembered Robert De Niro's exceptional audition for The Godfather (1972) and cast him without offering the part to Brando. Marlon Brando was scheduled to return for a cameo in the flashback at the end of the film but, because of the way Paramount treated him during The Godfather (1972), he did not show up for shooting on the day the scene was filmed. Coppola re-wrote the scene without Vito and it was filmed the next day.In an early version of the script, an ongoing story line was Tom Hagen having an affair with Sonny Corleone's widow. This was later discarded, but the line where Michael Corleone tells Hagen that he can take his "wife, children and mistress to Las Vegas" was kept. In the original script, Tom gains Senator Geary's support by paying off his gambling debts.

Francis Ford Coppola had a horrible time directing The Godfather (1972) and asked to pick a different director for the sequel, while taking the title of producer for himself. He chose Martin Scorsese, whom the film executives rejected. Thus, Coppola agreed to direct the film, with a few conditions. Coppola, having nearly been fired several times from the first film, was given a Mercedes-Benz limousine from Paramount as a reward for the record success of The Godfather (1972) and an incentive to direct a sequel. He agreed on several conditions - that the sequel be interconnected with the first film with the intention of later showing them together; that he be allowed to direct his own script of The Conversation (1974); that he be allowed to direct a production for the San Francisco Opera; and that he be allowed to write the screenplay for The Great Gatsby (1974) - all prior to production of the sequel for a Christmas 1974 release.

Though it claims to be based on the novel by Mario Puzo, only the scenes about the young Vito Corleone (Robert De Niro) have any basis in the book. Only one chapter in the book is devoted to Vito's youth and young adulthood. The story revolving around Michael (Al Pacino) and family in Las Vegas is entirely unique to the film. Originally, the actors in the flashback scenes wore pants with zippers. One of the musicians pointed out that the zipper had not been invented at that time, so some scenes had to be re-shot with button-fly trousers.

Peter Sellers was considered for Hyman Roth. Hyman Roth's character is loosely based on real-life mobster Meyer Lansky. Lansky, who at the time of the film's release was living in Miami, reportedly phoned Lee Strasberg and said, "Now, why couldn't you have made me more sympathetic? After all, I am a grandfather." Strasberg came out of retirement to play Hyman Roth after a specific request from Al Pacino. He was unwilling at first, but agreed to do it after a 45-minute meeting with Francis Ford Coppola's father, Carmine Coppola. Strasberg became ill during shooting, but instead of delaying production, Roth's character was rewritten to be an ailing old man.

A test screening of the film garnered negative reactions from the audience. They found cutting back and forth between Michael and young Vito confusing and bothersome. Francis Ford Coppola and his editors decided to decrease the frequency of the transitions in order to make the parallel stories easier to follow. Editing continued up to the release date of the film. And finally a couple of statistics: There are a total of 16 deaths in the film, and the film was filmed in 104 days.

Rated: [R]
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Godfather Part III (1990) 

C – 170m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen / 1.78:1 – Widescreen (Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy)
Co–Writer – Dir.: Francis Ford Coppola
Co–Writer: Mario Puzo
Starring: Al Pacino, Diane Keaton, Talia Shire, Andy Garcia, Eli Wallach, Joe Mantegna, George Hamilton, Bridget Fonda, Sophia Coppola, Raf Vallone, Don Novello, John Savage, Al Martino, John Cazale, Anton Coppola, Carmine Coppola, Gia Coppola and Ron Jeremy.

In the midst of trying to legitimize his business dealings in New York and Italy in 1979, aging Mafia don Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) seeks to avow for his sins while taking a young protégé (Andy Garcia) under his wing. The film’s timeline spans from 1979 – 1997. In many people’s mind this is the film sequel that should never have been made. I personally hold that honor for Dumb And Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003) and Zoolander 2 (2016).  But here, I am clearly talking about Francis Ford Coppola’s and Mario Puzo’s The Godfather Part III (1990).  There are two cuts of the film by the way. This film was nominated for 7 Oscars® by the way. That made it the first of only two trilogies where every film was nominated for Oscars®. The other was The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001 – 2003). Also, This is the only film in the trilogy not to win the Oscar for Best Picture or to be selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.

            Trivia is as follows:  Every The Godfather (1972) movie begins with a lavish celebration of some kind. The first one being Connie's wedding, The Godfather: Part II (1974) for Anthony's first communion, the third in honor of Michael's award from Pope Paul VI. The Vatican is part of the story of this film. Despite this, The Vatican refused entry to the film crew. Ironically, at one time, the Vatican Bank actually owned Paramount Pictures (the studio that distributed The Godfather films). After the argument between Michael Corleone and the members of the Vatican, he leaves the building, saying, "We're back with the Borgias". Mario Puzo, author of The Godfather (1972), later wrote a book about the Borgias called 'The Family'. It was later revealed, during the broadcast of the television series The Borgias (2011 - 2013), that the Borgias were the original inspiration for the Corleones. Most notably: Connie on Lucrezia Borgia.

Al Pacino was offered $5 million but wanted $7 million plus profits from gross to reprise his role as Michael. Francis Ford Coppola refused and threatened to rewrite the script by starting off with Michael's funeral sequence instead of the film's introduction. Pacino agreed to the $5-million offer. Robert Duvall turned down the $1 million the studio offered to recreate his role of Tom Hagen. Duvall didn't feel that his proposed salary was commensurate with what co-stars Al Pacino and Diane Keaton were getting ($5 million and $1.5 million respectively). The character was subsequently written out. Duvall later defended his position on the grounds that the only reason why anyone wanted to make another Godfather picture after so many years was to make money.

Because of the popularity of the two earlier Godfather movies, Frank Sinatra reversed his anti-Godfather stance and expressed interest in playing Don Altobello. He lost interest because of the size of the paycheck for the role, and it went to Eli Wallach. Sinatra got his role in From Here to Eternity (1953) when Wallach backed out because of the low pay for that movie.

Francis Ford Coppola once admitted that he was still unhappy over the final result because of lack of time on working with the script. According to him, he wanted $6 million for the writer, producer and director fee with six months work on the scriptwriting. The studio instead gave him only $1 million in fees and 6 weeks to work on the script in order to meet the Christmas 1990 release. He also regretted that the character of Tom Hagen had to be written out of the script because the studio refused to meet Robert Duvall's financial demands; according to Coppola, with Hagen gone, an essential character and counterpart for Michael Corleone was missing from the movie. To be honest, Coppola only had only a year to write, direct and edit the film.

Sofia Coppola, daughter of director Francis Ford Coppola, plays Michael Corleone's daughter, despite playing his niece as an infant in The Godfather (1972). Rebecca Schaeffer was in the running to play Mary Corleone, but was murdered just before discussions were to start. Winona Ryder was then cast, but she withdrew so that she could act in Edward Scissorhands (1990). Annabella Sciorra was considered for the role of Mary Corleone after Winona Ryder dropped out. Bridget Fonda auditioned for the role of Mary Corleone before being cast as Grace Hamilton instead. Julia Roberts was Coppola's dream choice for Mary Corleone, but she had scheduling conflicts at both times when the role was open. Madonna campaigned for the role of Mary Corleone, and had a meeting with Coppola and Robert De Niro to discuss how to adapt the role to their ages--in real life Madonna is only 12 years younger than Diane Keaton, who plays Mary Corleone's mother. Madeleine Stowe was one of many actresses that Paramount proposed for Mary Corleone after Winona Ryder's sudden departure. Francis Ford Coppola, however, wanted to cast someone still in her teens. As already noted: the role ultimately went to Sophia Coppola.

Anyone who has followed the casting of The Godfather Saga would know that Sofia Coppola's character's aunt, is played by her actual aunt, Talia Shire. Incidentally, Talia Shire based her make-up and character thrust on Gloria Swanson's performance as Norma Desmond in Billy Wilder's Sunset Blvd. (1950) (a film for another movie night). Vincent's mother, Lucy Mancini, is the bridesmaid that Sonny has an affair with in The Godfather (1972).

Catherine Scorsese (Martin Scorsese's mother) is one of the women who stops Vincent to complain about the poor care of the neighborhood.

For her widely panned performance in this film, Sofia Coppola not only "won" two Razzie Awards (for Worst Supporting Actress and Worst New Star) but also set a new record for the percentage of votes received by any actor up to that point in Golden Raspberry Awards history. In a field of five contenders, she took over 65% of Razzie members' votes in both categories.

Robert De Niro lobbied for the role of Vincent Mancini. Director Francis Ford Coppola considered it, which would have included aging Al Pacino's Michael Corleone even more, but eventually decided against the idea.

Rated: [R] – Violence & Language
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Godfather: A Novel For Television (1977 / 2016)

C – 5 Hours (Original Cut) / 7 Hours 14 Minutes (New Recut)
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Godfather Saga
Co–Writer – Dir.: Francis Ford Coppola
Co–Witer: Mario Puzo
Starring: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, James Caan, Richard S. Castellano, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard Conte, Diane Keaton, Abe Vigoda, Talia Shire, John Cazale, Al Martino, Lee Strasberg, Carmine Coppola, Gian–Carlo Coppola, Italia Coppola, Roman Coppola, Sophia Coppola, Michael V. Gazzo, Harry Dean Stanton, Roger Corman, Richard Matheson, and Tony Sirico.

This was a recut of the first two Godfather films, totaling 5 hours that features footage from the cutting room floor. A masterpiece! It was then recut in 2016 for HBO & Cinemax and is currently running at 7 hours 14 minutes. Still a masterpiece!

Available on HBO & Cinemax Only