R.I.P Tony Scott – Farewell to a Legend
Following the tragic news that Tony Scott has passed away at the age of 68 in an apparent suicide, survived by his brother; Sir Ridley and his wife of 18 years Donna W. Scott and their two children.
With Ron Howard, Kat Dennings and James Corden amongst the many Hollywood stars paying tribute to the legendary filmmaker, The Fan Carpet thought we would honour the British-born director by counting down the classic films he'll be remembered for…
| Inspired by actual events, “Unstoppable” is an adrenaline rush fueled by director Tony Scott’s signature mark of propulsive action rooted in the reality of ordinary people placed in extraordinary circumstances. A veteran train engineer (Denzel Washington) and a young conductor (Chris Pine) race the clock to stop an unmanned runaway train – effectively a missile the size of a skyscraper -- and prevent disaster in a heavily populated area. |
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| Oscar winner Denzel Washington stars as a government operative / soldier of fortune, who has pretty much given up on life. In Mexico City, he reluctantly agrees to take a job to protect a child (Dakota Fanning) whose parents are threatened by a wave of kidnappings. He eventually becomes close to the child and their relationship reawakens and rekindles his spirit. When she is abducted, his fiery rage is unleashed on those he feels responsible, and he stops at nothing to save her. |
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| Dedicated to the memory of his mother, Elizabeth Scott, Spy Game sees CIA operative Nathan Muir (Robert Redford) and his protégé Tom Bishop (Brad Pitt) go head to head after Muir learns that Bishop has gone rogue. His one-time protégé has been jailed in Beijing on espionage charges after attempting to break a prisoner out of China. Years of bad blood and hurt feelings are washed away in a flood of memories of adventures shared by the two men as Muir takes on his most dangerous - and personal - mission ever. |
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| A successful labor lawyer finds himself under intense government scrutiny after being implicated in the murder of a congressman by an unscrupulous National Security Agency. He turns to a former intelligence operative for help in extricating himself from the nightmare of harassment he's fallen under. Producer Bruckheimer likens the film to a cross between Three Days of the Condor and The Conversation. |
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| When Russian rebels gain control of nuclear weapons in the USSR, the United States retaliates by deploying the USS Alabama, a nuclear submarine commanded by Captain Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman). Veteran soldier and Naval legend Ramsey selects Lt. Commander Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington)--a Harvard graduate who prefers using brains over weapons--as his Executive Officer. While submerged, the Alabama is attacked by a Russian sub and loses radio contact just as an order is being transmitted from headquarters. Old Navy dog Ramsey firmly believes that the interrupted transmission ends with an order to fire their nuclear missiles at the Russian rebels. Hunter, desperate to avoid starting World War III, is determined to re-establish radio contact and act only after complete orders are received. Without the second-in-command's agreement, the missiles cannot be launched, and soon Ramsey and Hunter are engaged in a tense battle of wills, forcing the crew to choose sides. In the tradition of TOP GUN and TRUE ROMANCE, director Tony Scott keeps the tension running high in this fast-paced military thriller. Hackman scores as the tradition-bound Ramsey, and Washington is superb as the thoughtful young officer who feels compelled to take a stand against his superior. |
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| When inexperienced call girl Alabama Whitman (Patricia Arquette) is paid to seduce comic-book-nerd and Elvis fanatic Clarence Worley (Christian Slater), she doesn't expect to fall for him. But these two lost souls seem to be made for each other and quickly pledge their love, marrying at Detroit's city hall. Clarence discovers some newfound bravado and attempts to retrieve Alabama's possessions from her pimp, Drexl (Gary Oldman), who isn't exactly eager to let Alabama go. Fleeing Drexl's apartment, Clarence not only leaves a trail of bodies, but also inadvertently mistakes a suitcase of uncut cocaine for one with his wife's clothing, and the chase is on. The unlikely newlyweds head for Los Angeles hoping to sell the cocaine and make enough money to leave the country. Unfortunately, they also have to contend with the mob, yuppie drug dealers and the police. Michael Rapaport is amusing as Clarence's best friend who lives with Floyd, a stoner played by Brad Pitt. A sedate Dennis Hopper appears as Clarence's father, who ultimately faces off with mob boss Vincenzo Coccotti (Christopher Walken). |
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| Bruce Willis stars as Joe Hallenbeck, a disillusioned former Secret Service agent who has hit rock bottom as a detective for hire. His marriage is on the rocks, his adolescent daughter has a smart mouth, he drinks too much, and he's broke. Hallenbeck takes an assignment protecting Cory (Halle Berry), the stripper girlfriend of Jimmy Dix (Damon Wayans), a former professional football player banned from the league for gambling. When Cory is murdered gangland style, Hallenbeck teams up with the former football hero to find the killers. Their search leads them deep into the world of professional football, politics, legalized gambling and sadistic hitmen. LETHAL WEAPON screenwriter Shane Black wrote the script for this violent, action-packed thriller directed by Tony Scott (TOP GUN, TRUE ROMANCE). Willis plays Hallenbeck with a sadistic glint in his eye and a deathwish. Wayans is convincing as Dix, an athlete who loses everything when he's banned from the game he loves and turns to drugs for consolation. |
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| Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) is a young, cocky hotshot with little stock car driving experience and a lot of raw talent. Trickle's uncanny ability to make all the right moves on the racetrack wins him the backing of Tim Dolan (Randy Quaid), who wants to put him in a car. Eventually he wins the support of grizzled former driver Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall), a NASCAR legend who sees that Trickle has the potential to be a great driver. Determined to make it to the top, Trickle develops a healthy rivalry with veteran racer Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker). Along the way, he romances Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman), a beautiful neurosurgeon. Hogge's mentoring (and a potential tragedy) leads Trickle through the dramatic process of self-discovery, which ultimately makes him a better driver. Directed by Tony Scott, DAYS OF THUNDER is reminiscent of his TOP GUN, the film that rocketed Cruise to stardom. Scott uses spectacular driving and racing scenes in this film, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound. |
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| In Beverly Hills Cop II, Eddie Murphy is back as Axel Foley, a resourceful Detroit detective who doesn't exactly play by the rules. When his friend Andrew Bogomil (Ronny Cox) is wounded in an event related to mysterious "alphabet crimes," Foley hightails it to California and reunites up with officers Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton) in an effort to stop the robberies that are creating fear in the city's businesses and to avenge the attack on his friend. Along the way, their investigation into the crimes leads them to a strip club, the Playboy mansion, and even the racetrack. Director Tony Scott's (CRIMSON TIDE, TOP GUN) film offers a wild ride as Foley talks his way into and out of various scenarios. Watch for comedian Chris Rock's feature-film debut in his brief appearance as the parking valet and for Paul Reiser as Jeffrey Freidman, Axel's partner in Detroit. |
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| Maverick (Tom Cruise) is a reckless F-14 pilot who flies by instinct and breaks all of the rules. While attending the Navy's elite air combat training academy, affectionately known as "Top Gun," Maverick romances the civilian astrophysics instructor (Kelly McGillis) and competes with crackerjack pilot Ice (Val Kilmer) for top honors. He is the quintessential rebel, upsetting senior officers with his antics and risk-taking while simultaneously amazing them with his skill. In the end, Maverick overcomes a tragic loss and his need to stand out in the crowd and proves that he can shine as part of a team. Anthony Edwards stars as Maverick’s best friend and co-pilot, Goose, and Meg Ryan first garnered attention as Goose’s wife, Carole. |
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R.I.P TONY SCOTT 1944 - 2012 • GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN
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