Todd Phillips at the Deadline Awardsline screening of “Joker” in New York. Todd Philips and Joaquin Phoenix Director and Actor Formed a Unique Union in Making Joker an Award-Oriented Hit by Brad Balfour Attending a Joker screening a second time – thanks to Deadline‘s Awardsline screening series – not only provided further insight but also a chance to hear director Todd Phillips explain himself, just as he did at the film’s World Premiere Q&A. Phillips is no stranger to contro

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Blood Ties BLOOD TIES (2014) Starring Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Marion Cotillard, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana, Matthias Schoenaerts, James Caan, Noah Emmerich, Lili Taylor, Mark Mahoney, Charlie Tahan, Daisy Tahan, Domenick Lombardozzi, Jamie Hector, John Ventimiglia, Griffin Dunne, Eve Hewson, Dominik Tiefenthaler, Yul Vazquez and Austin Williams. Screenplay by Guillaume Canet and James Gray. Directed by Guillaume Canet. Distributed by Rogue Pictures.  144 minutes.  Rated R. It

Inside Man INSIDE MAN (2006) Starring Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster, Clive Owen, Christopher Plummer, Willem Defoe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Carlos Andrés Gómez, Kim Director, James Ransone, Bernie Rachelle, Peter Gerety, Victor Collochio, Cassandra Freeman, Peter Frechette and Gerry Vichi. Screenplay by Russell Gewirtz. Directed by Spike Lee. Distributed by Universal Pictures.  129 minutes.  Rated R. While it is probably not in Spike Lee’s DNA to make a commercial blockbuster, yo

Kojak – Season One Kojak Season One – 1973 (Universal-2005) With Ving Rhames taking over the role of Kojak on USA Network’s newly configured version of the original cop series, there’s been newfound interest generated in the pioneering seventies drama and the actor who made bald cool and classy. Back during the polyester decade, the term “Who Loves Ya, Baby?” – one of Kojak‘s trademark expressions – took its rightful place alongside other beloved cultural perennials as Charli

Barney Miller – The First Season Barney Miller The First Season – 1975 (Columbia Tri-Star-2004) In 1975, New York City was on the verge of financial and moral ruin. Criminals ran rampant in the streets and terrorized the weary riders of the graffiti-drenched subways. Times Square was bursting with X-rated peep shows and drug-addicted hustlers. The city’s plea for Federal help resulted in one of the most famous headlines of all time (“Ford to City: Drop Dead!”). This, of cours