The Missing is an American Revisionist Western thriller film directed by Ron Howard, based on Thomas Eidson’s 1996 novel The Last Ride. The film is set in 1885 New Mexico Territory and is notable for the authentic use of the Apache language by various actors, some of whom spent long hours studying it. The film…
Mona Lisa Smile Production Notes (2003)
Several years ago, screenwriting partners Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal (Jewel of the Nile, Planet of the Apes) read an article about Hillary Rodham Clinton’s years at Wellesley College in the 1960s. “By the 60s the Wellesley curriculum had already been modernized and the students took their choices for granted,” says Rosenthal. “But we wondered…
Mystic River Production Notes (2003)
From his very first reading, director / producer Clint Eastwood knew he wanted to bring Dennis Lehane’s best-selling novel Mystic River to the screen. “I read the book and optioned it immediately,” he recalls. “It’s a riveting story with enormous potential as a film. The characters are complex, interesting and well defined.” Eastwood, who won…
Open Range Production Notes (2003)
With Open Range, Costner takes over directing chores for the third time in his career. His first foray into helming, 1990’s Dances With Wolves, earned him an Oscar for Best Director. Holding down three roles on his latest film “just worked out that way,” says Costner. “I find the scripts and develop them, and I…
Paycheck Movie Production Notes (2003)
Director John Woo and producer Terence Chang assembled some of their most trusted collaborators in the making of “Paycheck,” including cinematographer Jeffrey Kimball, ASC, weapons coorindator Rock Galotti and stunt brothers Gregg and Brian Smrz. Shot entirely in Vancouver, Canada, which doubled for Seattle, the production team made their home base at Vancouver Film Studios…
Peter Pan Production Notes (2003)
A lasting tale of adventure, discovery and dreams, Peter Pan has thrilled audiences around the world since it premiered on a London stage 100 years ago. J. M. Barrie’s classic story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up and the girl whose family insists that she must has had many popular incarnations over the years,…