LA utility wary of California's emissions strategy Jul 31, 2008
Its water grabs drained an eastern Sierra lake to make modern-day Los Angeles possible, and its backroom maneuvering to secure more water was the subject of the Roman Polanski film "Chinatown." At the start of the decade, it became one of the unlikely profiteers during the state's energy crisis. Today, the nation's largest municipal utility is back in the spotlight, and this time the tables have turned: It may end up on the losing end of California's attempt to implement its landmark law to... (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
AFI Names Top Ten Mystery Films of ... Jul 26, 2008
The AFI Top Ten Mystery Films of All Time includes: Vertigo, Chinatown, Rear Window, Laura, The Third Man, The Maltese Falcon, North by Northwest, Blue Velvet, North by Northwest, Dial M for Murder and Usual Suspects. Vertigo. (Suite101.com)
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired offers first-rate reportage Jul 26, 2008
Zenovich uses clips of Polanski's films including Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown to both dramatize and make ironic commentary on her findings. The case was an unusual one in many ways. (Toronto Star)
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired Jul 25, 2008
Samples from Repulsion, Chinatown and Rosemary's Baby emphasize his thematic interests, which the prosecuting attorney, who caught a Polanski film retrospective just before the trial, summed up succinctly as corruption meeting innocence over water. The film is less persuasive in portraying Polanski as, once again, a victim, this time of American moralism and prudishness. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Film Minimizes Roman Polanski's Crime Jul 22, 2008
com - Film Minimizes Roman Polanskirime. On a Handheld Device. (Newsmax)
Polanski asks prosecutor to review film's claims Jul 17, 2008
Polanski, the director of "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown," fled the United States 30 years ago on the eve of being sentenced for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl. Now, Polanski and his lawyer have asked the Los Angeles district attorney's office to review a new documentary in which a former deputy district attorney claims to have coached the judge in the case. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Polanski: Wanted & Desired Jul 14, 2008
As told by Marina Zenovich, the film is a chronicle of Polanski's life and legal woes during the 1970s and thoroughly examines the Chinatown director's mind set, in the process simultaneously deconstructing one of the great public misconducts of justice and the destruction of a promising filmmaker's mainstream career. By 1976, Roman Polanski had cultivated a reputation for being a great moviemaker and a great auteur: With films like Chinatown and Rosemary's Baby on his resume, he proved that... (IGN FilmForce)
Brosnan to play a former PM with a freebie-loving wife Jun 27, 2008
Directing the production will be Roman Polanski, director of The Pianist and Chinatown. For Mr Blair, the outcome in casting the protagonist could have been far less flattering. (Independent)
The Hot Tub of Doom Jun 10, 2008
In March of 1977, about 14 months before shooting began on The Shining, Jack Nicholson took a vacation to Colorado, apparently leaving his palace on Mulholland Drive in the care of Anjelica Huston, Marlon Brando's maid, and Chinatown director Roman Polanski. Polanski, 44, owed the French edition of Vogue a photo story and had decided that the best place for a second sitting with subject Samantha Geimer, who was from the Valley and who was 13, would be Nicholson's hot tub. (Slate)
'Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired' Jun 9, 2008
He has led a life so large that it's often chopped down to a few phrases: Oscar-winning director of such film classics as "Chinatown," "Tess" and "The Pianist." Survivor of the Nazi occupation of Poland. Married to actress Sharon Tate, who was eight months pregnant when she was Had sex with a 13-year-old and, after being convicted of unlawful intercourse with a minor, fled the United States for Paris, where he has been for the last three decades. (Los Angeles Times)
Other side of Polanski case Jun 8, 2008
Yes, he is an extraordinary, acclaimed filmmaker, with credits like Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby and The Pianist ... Yes, he is an extraordinary, acclaimed filmmaker, with credits like Chinatown, Rosemary's Baby and The Pianist. (Akron Beacon Journal)
Direct approach Jun 7, 2008
She calls his "Chinatown" a "perfect movie." The idea for a documentary on the case was triggered by a Los Angeles Times article in 2003. Polanski was a best-director Oscar nominee for "The Pianist.""His lawyer said the day Polanski fled was a sad day for the judicial system. That made me think that doesn't make sense. So I started calling people," Zenovich says. (Fresno Bee)
Critics' Picks Jun 7, 2008
If you're looking for the most richly deserving Oscar winner, consider Walter Murch, sound editor of "Apocalypse Now." And if your dinner guests are arguing over the most apoplectic Al Pacino moment, trot out this little beauty from "The Devil's Advocate": "He's laughing his sick, fucking ass off! He's a tight-ass! He's a sadist! He's an absentee landlord! Worship that? Never!" Director Steven Soderbergh, swimming against the tide of 10, offers merely "One Great Film (Greater Even Than Is Widely... (Salon)
Polanski victim wants case closed but no prison Jun 5, 2008
Polanski, who directed Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown, already had spent 42 days in a prison for a psychiatric evaluation before his sentencing. I think he's sorry, I think he knows it was wrong, Geimer said. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Clint, Angelina and the movie with no name May 21, 2008
I suspect Straczynski saw something in this material that was closer to "Chinatown" than to and while Eastwood has made some excellent films he is not an idiosyncratic visionary after the Roman Polanski fashion. "L'Ex-Changeling," at least as seen here in what may not be its final form, has passages of great emotional power and big blocks of formulaic explanation and exposition. (Salon)
Polanski Victim Makes Rare Appearance May 8, 2008
When it became clear that the judge wanted to "get" him, the Oscar-winning director of "Chinatown" and "Rosemary s Baby" fled the U.S. for France and never returned. Related. (Fox News)
S.F. Film Festival gala gets political May 4, 2008
When the script for his masterpiece, "Chinatown," wouldn't come together, Towne and director Roman Polanski tried something unconventional ... Towne, who will be directing a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's "The 39 Steps," doesn't believe that "Chinatown" would ever get made today because of the cost of an elaborate period piece. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Polanski's baby Feb 11, 2008
He was the famous director (Knife In The Water, Repulsion, Rosemary's Baby and Chinatown) with the famously traumatic past, having watched his parents taken to a Nazi concentration camp as a child and then faced the shocking murder of his pregnant second wife, Sharon Tate, by the Manson "Family" in 1969. Polanski later fled to France after being convicted of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl - a case examined in a hit documentary at last month's Sundance Film Festival. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Redeeming Roman Polanski Jan 25, 2008
Through dozens of interviews and deft use of archival footage, director Marina Zenovich untangles the dense web of legal issues that surround the Chinatown director's sensational story and exile to France. Related Articles. (Time.com)
The sex thimbles Jan 12, 2008
Jack Nicholson asks about the Polanski character in Chinatown. Indians tend to be shorter than Europeans so we are less height conscious. (Livemint)
Other DVD gifts that are sure to please Dec 21, 2007
Chinatown: Special Collector's Edition ($15). It's just 1974's Chinatown, with restored video and new interviews with star Jack Nicholson, director Roman Polanski and writer Robert Towne. (USA Today -- Life)
Dustin Hoffman on sex and death Dec 15, 2007
"I've been doing movies since 1967. Have I been involved in movies that had scenes that made this exchange look like nothing? And did we hear stories of Jack Nicholson throwing a television set across the room trying to kill Roman Polanski in Chinatown? Did Bill Murray not pick up the producer who was running Universal and throw her into the lake on What About Bob?" The names keep coming: Gene Hackman, Mel Brooks, Robert Duvall. "We heard these things constantly. And shouldn't that happen if it... (Sydney Morning Herald)
Winona Ryder, Nolte to compete at Sundance Nov 29, 2007
The 16 documentaries in the U.S. competition feature Alex Gibneys Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, a portrait of the iconoclastic writer known for a bottomless narcotics appetite; Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, Marina Zenovichs examination of the Academy Award-winning director of The Pianist and Chinatown who fled the United States in 1978 over child-sex charges; and Patti Smith: Dream of Life, Steven Sebrings study of the music icon... (MSNBC -- News)
The urban jungle Nov 16, 2007
Since Los Angeles is the world capital of the movie business and a city you are duty-bound to despise, it's not surprising that its most indelibly famous civic movie chronicles, in the most self-hating manner, its own municipal creation-myth: Roman Polanski and Robert Towne's Chinatown ... Better, I think, to add to Chinatown other, gentler movies that work neighbourhood by neighbourhood, like the Coen brothers' The Big Lebowski (Hollywood, Malibu), Charles Burnett's Killer of Sheep (Watts), PT... (Guardian Unlimited)
Jack Nicholson Talks! In Rare Interview, Actor Reveals Details Of Never-Shot 'Chinatown' Sequel Nov 6, 2007
In Rare Interview, Actor Reveals Details Of Never-Shot 'Chinatown' Sequel ... In Rare Interview, Actor Reveals Details Of Never-Shot 'Chinatown' Sequel ... Jack Nicholson became a star in 1969 with the release of "Easy Rider." Just five years later he had already earned his fourth Best-Actor Oscar nomination for "Chinatown" (today he's up to 12 nominations with three wins). (VHI.com -- Music News)
BIG PICTURE: Hollywood contempt for writers?; Oct 30, 2007
Roman Polanski says Towne drove him nuts during the writing of "Chinatown," "fighting for every line of dialogue as if it were carved in marble." During the making of "The Goddess," Chayefsky so unhinged actress Kim Stanley, demanding more smoke when she lit a cigarette, that she threatened to quit unless he left the set. No one said it better than the policeman who, having arrested Mankiewicz after one of many drunken escapades, described the writer as "insulting, sarcastic, impolite and... (Los Angeles Times)
Review: iPod touch Sep 19, 2007
For example, dark scenes in the classic Roman Polanski film, Chinatown, were really dark lacking detail that the iPhone nicely detailed. The display also had a yellower cast than the iPhone. (Playlist)
Polanski 'withdraws from Pompeii' Sep 12, 2007
The Paris-born director's films include Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown and The Pianist, for which he won a best director Oscar in 2002. Bookmark with. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Movie review: Feels like a 'Rush' job Aug 24, 2007
And just what are cinematic legends von Sydow ( The Seventh Seal, The Exorcist ) and Roman Polanski (The director of Chinatown and Rosemary s Baby ) doing in this movie. They deserve much better. (Lompoc Record, CA)
Rush Hour 3 spends too much time in the slow lane Aug 10, 2007
Not exactly Chinatown, but its a living. 4. (Canada.com)
Read the "Rush Hour 3" review Aug 8, 2007
Until recently, the evidence had been under Soo Yung's care at her kung fu studio in Chinatown (where the guys have a hilarious run-in with a giant dude played wordlessly by Sun Ming Ming, who makes Yao Ming look like a runt). Triad henchmen now have the envelope, but with a little bit of (witty) torture, the duo determine the truth lies with Genevieve (the exotic Noemie Lenoir), the star attraction at an underground Paris nitery. (Variety)
Seventy, and he's still shining Apr 22, 2007
Nicholson (it's difficult not to call him Jack) has chosen to work with some of the finest directors from Hollywood's golden age - Kazan, Minnelli, Kubrick, Huston, Arthur Penn; with three of Europe's finest - Polanski (Chinatown might well be his greatest performance), Forman and Antonioni; and with several of his best contemporaries - Hellman, Rafelson, Ashby, Nichols, Beatty, Payne, Burton, Sean Penn and Scorsese, another Corman protege ... Robert TowneScreenwriter: The Last Detail (1973),... (Guardian Unlimited)
Dramatika Films Announces Completion of Feature Docudrama 'Man of a Thousand Faces' Apr 12, 2007
Slated to premiere exclusively at this year's Festival de Cannes in May, "Man of a Thousand Faces" features highlights from Hong's illustrious career of nearly 500 film and television performances including blockbuster hits such as "Blade Runner," "Big Trouble in Little China," "Airplane," "Chinatown," "Black Widow," "Wayne's World 2, " "Red Corner," "Mulan," and many more. (Photo: ). (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Polanski to direct Pompeii film Feb 3, 2007
----------------- ----------------- RELATED BBC SITES. Last Updated: Friday, 2 February 2007, 16:00 GMT. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Academy Award-Winning Director Roman Polanski to Direct ``Pompeii'' Feb 3, 2007
Mr. Polanski won an Academy Award in 2003 for "The Pianist." The director was also nominated for an Academy Award for "Chinatown" (1975) and "Tess" (1981), in addition to numerous other critical accolades. He most recently directed "Oliver Twist" in 2005. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Apocalypto: (Oops!) It's brilliant Dec 9, 2006
If we can simultaneously accept that, for example, Roman Polanski once drugged and raped a young girl, but also that he is a filmmaker whose vast talent encompasses works including Knife in the Water, Chinatown and The Pianist, maybe Gibson has a shot. You can denigrate Gibson, but Apocalypto is nearly above reproach. (Sun-Sentinel.com)
People: Britney tops Yahoo! most-searched list Dec 6, 2006
Polanski, 73, was given the award for creating what the academy said "were some of the most unforgettable moments in cinema" with films such as Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown and The Pianist. In praise of independent women. (Sun-Sentinel.com)
Film about German secret police scores at European awards Dec 5, 2006
The Academy Award-winning director has had an illustrious career, most notably helming 1968's Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown (1974), 1979's Tess and The Pianist in 2002. It was a homecoming of sorts for the Paris-baseddirector whose father came from Poland. (CBC.ca)
Director Polanski receives lifetime award Dec 5, 2006
Polanski was given the award for creating what the academy said "were some of the most unforgettable moments in cinema" with films such as "Rosemary's Baby," "Chinatown" and "The Pianist." He won a best director Oscar for 2002's "The Pianist.". advertisement. (MSNBC -- Movies)
German "The Lives of Others'' wins Best European Film Award Dec 4, 2006
In a return to this native country, Polanski was given the lifetime achievement award for creating what the academy said "were some of the mostunforgettable moments in cinema'' with works like "Rosemary's Baby'' (1968), "Chinatown (1974), and "The Pianist'' (2002). Only happy memories of Warsaw. (EiTB)
Stars gather for 'Europe Oscars' Dec 3, 2006
The Oscar-winning director of Chinatown and The Pianist was in Morocco on Friday for the opening of the sixth Marrakech Film Festival. British producer Jeremy Thomas will also be honoured at the ceremony, which will be hosted by French actress Sophie Marceau and Polish actor Maciej Stuhr. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Roman's in a 'Rush' Oct 28, 2006
Though the director's occasionally acted in European films such as Andrzej Wajda's "The Revenge," "Rush Hour 3" marks his first thesping gig in a Hollywood pic since 1974's "Chinatown" as "a man with a knife." After winning the directing Oscar for "The Pianist" three years ago, he last helmed "Oliver Twist.". Director Brett Ratner told Daily Variety that he persuaded Polanski to appear after a chance encounter while in pre-production in Paris. (Variety)
Italian foundation set to honor Polanski Oct 5, 2006
ANSA said in addition to the 2006 Fellini honor, the "Chinatown" director's career will be recognized by the European Film Academy also in December. . (Washington Times, DC)
More Trials Ahead Sep 26, 2006
Polanski s most famous acting job was in his own movie "Chinatown" some 32 years ago (he s the guy who slits open Jack Nicholson s nose). In "Rush Hour 3," Polanski will play a French cop who gives stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker a tough time. (Fox News)
Movie review: 'Dahlia' beautiful, but bland Sep 22, 2006
Just as screenwriter Robert Towne sets up a crime story amidst the backdrop of the sordid history of how Los Angeles got its municipal water in Chinatown, Ellroy s story uses the Short murder as a centerpiece to a larger plot involving two detectives who become friends after a fixed police department boxing fight ... If you re looking for great crime films set in vintage Los Angeles, treat yourself to the real deal with Roman Polanski s Chinatown and Curtis Hanson s L.A. Confidential. (Santa Maria Times)
Lifetime award for Polanski Sep 13, 2006
Polanski's films include Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown and The Pianist, for which he won an Oscar in 2002 ... He soon moved to Hollywood where he directed a raft of hit movies, including psychological thriller Rosemary's Baby and film noir Chinatown. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Is Spike Lee doing the right thing? Aug 21, 2006
The situation in the Lower Ninth Ward, he explained, was "the same thing" as the Roman Polanski classic "Chinatown," where there was a conspiracy to blow up the dam to flood the L.A. basin. "Look, we got a bunch of poor black people here in the Ninth Ward .We got to save these other neighborhoods. What we got to do? Dump this water in this ward. BOOM! I believe it.". (Newsday -- Entertainment)
Casablanca tops movie script poll Apr 10, 2006
Third on the list came crime thriller Chinatown written by Robert Towne and starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway under the direction of Roman Polanski. Top 10 best movie scripts 1. (BBC News -- Entertainment)
Robert Towne's personal best Mar 17, 2006
Chinatown' screenwriter portrays John Fante's LA in 'Ask theDust ... I came to this elegant hotel suite brimming with questions about lesbian jocks: it was Towne's Personal Best (1982) that first put the risqu realities of same-sex athletic passions on film; incest: "My sister, my daughter," a scene from Towne's legendary script for Chinatown, is still chewed over in screenwriting classes, even in the age of Oprah; and how he landed the town's leading Irish bad-boy actor to play a sensitive,... (Bay Area Reporter)
A three-pack of Polanski's personal peculiarities Jan 24, 2006
It reminds us that even some of his lesser-known works (we obviously don't mean Rosemary's Baby or Chinatown) are stylishly idiosyncratic. Three personal favorites. (USA Today -- Movies)
Helmers' history notes Jan 12, 2006
(Roman Polanski played a small supporting role in 1974's "Chinatown," to cite a previous example). More frequently, actor-directors have earned bids for helming pics in which they have either had a lead role -- as would be the case for potential nominee Tommy Lee Jones ("The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada") -- or none at all, as with past winner and current contender Ron Howard ("A Beautiful Mind," "Cinderella Man"). (Variety)
