Sunday was a sad day for Hollywood and for film lovers across the globe, as we learned of the death of two titans of the entertainment world within hours of each other.
We first learned of the passing of George A. Romero, the father of the zombie genre and a horror mastermind, who died at the age of 77 after a short battle with lung cancer. Romero was undoubtedly one of the most influential filmmakers to ever live, a man who practically created a genre and announced the debut of a new kind of scary movie. His debut feature, 1968's Night of the Living Dead, is one of the most acclaimed horror films ever made, praised for both its tension and its social commentary. Romero continued to make zombie movies for the rest of his career, directing classics like Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead, as well as some later films that didn't quite match up. In addition to working with the undead, Romero directed cult classics like The Crazies, Creepshow, and Martin, films that are beloved by horror lovers and cinema fans everywhere. While I can't claim to have much of a personal connection to Romero's work, his influence is undeniable. He changed the game, and without him, we wouldn't have so many of the films that we hold so dear to our hearts. His direct and indirect impact on the history of the last half century of movies is incredible. He will be sorely missed.
For a better insight into the life of Romero and this monumental loss in the film world, I encourage you to check out Edgar Wright's remembrance of the director. It's a touching, lovely tribute.
A very short time after hearing of the passing of Romero, reports began to spread that Oscar-winning actor Martin Landau had passed away at the age of 89. The storied actor has 177 IMDb credits to his name, dating all the way back to 1953. His big break came in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest, where he played the unnerving henchman of the lead villain. Landau also did some of his most famous work on the small screen appearing in shows like The Twilight Zone, Mission: Impossible, and Space: 1999. Landau's career saw a resurgence in the late 1980s with his appearance in Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors, but perhaps his most famous role came in 1994, when he played Bela Lugosi in Tim Burton's Ed Wood. Landau's touching portrayal of a washed-up icon won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, cementing his status in film history with one of the best biopics ever made. I recently watched Ed Wood for the first time, and it's one of those films that just instantly became a favorite of mine. Landau's performance is so instrumental to the success of the movie, and the way that he balances caricature and genuine emotion is magnificent. Landau was one of the last icons of the golden age of Hollywood, and it was incredibly sad to learn of his passing. His loss is deeply felt. Rest in Peace, Mr. Landau.
We first learned of the passing of George A. Romero, the father of the zombie genre and a horror mastermind, who died at the age of 77 after a short battle with lung cancer. Romero was undoubtedly one of the most influential filmmakers to ever live, a man who practically created a genre and announced the debut of a new kind of scary movie. His debut feature, 1968's Night of the Living Dead, is one of the most acclaimed horror films ever made, praised for both its tension and its social commentary. Romero continued to make zombie movies for the rest of his career, directing classics like Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead, as well as some later films that didn't quite match up. In addition to working with the undead, Romero directed cult classics like The Crazies, Creepshow, and Martin, films that are beloved by horror lovers and cinema fans everywhere. While I can't claim to have much of a personal connection to Romero's work, his influence is undeniable. He changed the game, and without him, we wouldn't have so many of the films that we hold so dear to our hearts. His direct and indirect impact on the history of the last half century of movies is incredible. He will be sorely missed.
For a better insight into the life of Romero and this monumental loss in the film world, I encourage you to check out Edgar Wright's remembrance of the director. It's a touching, lovely tribute.
A very short time after hearing of the passing of Romero, reports began to spread that Oscar-winning actor Martin Landau had passed away at the age of 89. The storied actor has 177 IMDb credits to his name, dating all the way back to 1953. His big break came in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest, where he played the unnerving henchman of the lead villain. Landau also did some of his most famous work on the small screen appearing in shows like The Twilight Zone, Mission: Impossible, and Space: 1999. Landau's career saw a resurgence in the late 1980s with his appearance in Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors, but perhaps his most famous role came in 1994, when he played Bela Lugosi in Tim Burton's Ed Wood. Landau's touching portrayal of a washed-up icon won him the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, cementing his status in film history with one of the best biopics ever made. I recently watched Ed Wood for the first time, and it's one of those films that just instantly became a favorite of mine. Landau's performance is so instrumental to the success of the movie, and the way that he balances caricature and genuine emotion is magnificent. Landau was one of the last icons of the golden age of Hollywood, and it was incredibly sad to learn of his passing. His loss is deeply felt. Rest in Peace, Mr. Landau.
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