Movie Dikinis,
Last week in a fit of madness we watched a great movie. A movie from 1988 that holds up in every way, even special effects if you squint your eyes a little. Mother flippin WILLOW, hit the music!
I know people were jumping out at various times throughout the movie, but hey! Willow doesn’t care, It’ll always be there for you. Do movies like this get made anymore? Big budget, non-sequel, non-reboot, original content, Fantasy movies. It turns out that despite my undying love this movie is considered kind of a middling success, released close to the same time as Crocodile Dundee 2, Rambo 3… and BIG! it only made $57 million (100 mill with inflation). Which puts it squarely in the middle of the pack.
I’m glad to hear that I wasn’t the only one affected by the ‘dust of broken hearts’ about Sorcha (Joanne Whalley), Her and Scarlet from GI Joe kicked off my life long love of redheads. This is also why we shouldn’t watch movies we actually like! I’m reading all these old reviews that say “The story is kind of simple, action decent, 5/10″… This is WILLOW you maniacs! 10/10!
Out Of The Way Peck!
That Guy
Things I found out about Willow.
- Story by George Lucas, but screenplay not written by him. That’s why they don’t speak like wooden androids talking about trade agreements between Galadorn and Tir Aslee.
- The 30th anniversary is next year, May 20, 2018
- There’s still talk of a movie/tv series sequel that will probably never happen.
- 25 minute making of documentary, which you should watch just for how ridiculous Ron Howard looks in the 80’s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeJvVc3znK0
- There’s a deleted scene with a ‘fish boy’ at the lake, http://video.wikia.com/wiki/File:Willow_-_%22Fish_Boy%22_Deleted_Scene
- There are 3 follow up novels, Shadow Moon (1995) ISBN 0-553-57285-7, Shadow Dawn (1996) ISBN 0-553-57289-X, Shadow Star (2000) ISBN 0-553-57288-1
- Real life happy ending…Val Kilmer married Joanne Whalley in 1988… divorced in 1995.
It’s my pick this week, HOW WILL I FOLLOW WILLOW?
probably with something terrible!
See you Thursday!
-Mark
Willow is a 1988 American dark fantasy adventure drama film directed by Ron Howard. It was produced by George Lucas and written by Bob Dolman from a story by Lucas. It stars Warwick Davis, Val Kilmer, Joanne Whalley, Jean Marsh, and Billy Barty. Davis plays Willow, a reluctant farmer who plays a critical role in protecting a baby from a tyrannical queen who vows to destroy her and take over the world.
Lucas conceived the idea for the film in 1972, approaching Howard to direct during the post-production phase of Cocoon in 1985. Bob Dolman was brought in to write the screenplay, coming up with seven drafts before finishing in late 1986. It was then set up at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and principal photography began in April 1987, finishing the following October. The majority of filming took place in Wales with some at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, as well as a small section in New Zealand. Industrial Light & Magic created the visual effects sequences, which led to a revolutionary breakthrough with digital morphing technology.
The film was released in 1988 to mixed reviews from critics. It grossed $137.6 million worldwide against a $35 million budget. While not the blockbuster some expected, it turned a profit based on international box office returns and strong home video and television returns. Additionally, it received two Academy Award nominations.
A series based on the film is in development, scheduled to be released on Disney+ in 2022.
source : wikipedia
