The life of Michael Kirk Douglas has been a rich one. He has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards and an AFI Life Achievement Award. In addition, he has won a Primetime Emmy and five Golden Globe Awards.
Starman (1984)
Starman is a 1984 American science fiction romance drama film. It is directed by John Carpenter and starring Jeff Bridges. A non-corporeal alien travels across America on a quest for human companionship.
The Voyager 2 space probe carries greetings in 57 languages on its surface. Scientists aboard the probe hope to make contact with an alien civilisation.
When the spacecraft reaches Wisconsin, it crashes. Scientists on board place a number of greetings on the board in several different languages. These scientists have hoped to encounter an alien civilization on the other side of the galaxy.
A SETI researcher named Mark Shermin is torn between scientific curiosity and his love of humanity. He reluctantly aids the authorities. But he’s a little confused by his role.
While the movie Starman is a quirky little story, it is not the worst sci-fi fantasy ever made. The plot isn’t overly complex and the characters are sympathetic.
The film is more of a lost Spielberg movie than a Spielberg-esque blockbuster. However, it’s still a good time.
Jeff Bridges’ performance is well-received. The actor was nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars and he also won the best supporting actor prize.
“Starman” was an unusual film that received positive reviews. The script was written by Bruce A. Evans and Raynold Gideon and the movie was directed by John Carpenter.
Bridges’ performance is full of off-kilter gestures and speech. He incorporated jerky bird-like motions and other visual cues to show how his character is not human.
Starman is an involving tale that has a touch of old-school magic. Although the film is a bit silly at times, there are several genuinely touching moments.
Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen’s performances are a real treat. Their relationship is a little awkward at first, but things get better.
One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is an American psychological comedy drama film that was released in 1975. The film was based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Oregon writer Ken Kesey.
Michael Douglas produced the film. He wanted to play a romantic matinee hero. After a few years of success in television and films, Douglas hoped to make his feature debut.
Douglas’ father, actor Kirk Douglas, purchased the rights to the novel. He later transferred them to his son, Michael Douglas.
In 1963, Douglas starred as McMurphy in a Broadway adaptation. When the play closed, his father asked him to continue making the film. However, his father thought that his son would be wasting his time.
Douglas decided to make the film in Salem, Oregon. After negotiating with the Oregon State Hospital, the producers agreed to shoot in the actual hospital. This allowed the actors to learn about the operation of the hospital.
Douglas teamed up with financier Saul Zaentz. Zaentz put up $2 million to co-produce the film. He also borrowed against his record company to raise the remaining difference.
When Columbia acquired the film, they gave it a budget boost. However, the production schedule was rushed. As a result, the movie was in turnaround.
During filming, many of the original buildings were demolished. The film was shot in and around Salem and Depoe Bay, on the north coast of Oregon. Winter weather added to the somber mood of the film.
In March 1976, the film won five Academy Awards. It was one of three films to win all five.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s was certified as one of the top 100 American films of all time. It is ranked 33 on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years… 100 Movies list.
Radio Flyer (1979)
The Radio Flyer is an old hat in the minds eye. It has been around since the mid-nineties. Although the likes of Tom Hanks and Susan Hayden have ridden its crest, the dude is no longer in the picture. That’s a pity. However, the likes of Warren Beatty and Michael Douglas have kept the bourbon flowing. Having said that, the likes of Michael Douglas have never been as good as they were in the past.
This isn’t to say that the above-average yokel can’t make a go of it. After all, he’s got a wife and a daughter, both of whom would put a lot of credit in his wallet. What’s more, the family has moved to a swanky part of the Bay area, a.m. snooty suburb to boot. On the plus side, the likes of Michael Douglas are all the rage. Aside from the fact that he is the best looking man in the biz, he also happens to be a very good singer. In a way, it’s kind of funny.
Unlike most modern day family’s, the Douglass’s kids are well behaved. And in a world teeming with teen drama, the above average family is an oasis in the desert. But, if they can’t keep a lid on it, it’s only a matter of time before they’ll take the rap and that’s where the narcissists come in.
David Seltzer (1985)
Michael Douglas, son of Kirk and Diana Douglas, became a star after he starred in Romancing the Stone. He went on to receive an Oscar for Best Actor for the role. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute.
In the ’80s, Michael Douglas became an action hero. His performances in the films Wall Street, Fatal Attraction, and The China Syndrome garnered him many awards. He was named as a UN Messenger of Peace in 1998.
Before he began his acting career, Douglas had a brief stint as a stage actor. He studied drama at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. He then went on to study at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he received his B.A. There, he met Wynn Handman.
Despite his parents’ wishes, Michael decided to pursue a career in show business. Initially, he spent summers at the family’s movie sets. Later, he studied at Yale University.
Douglas’ first major break in New York came in 1969, when he was cast in Ellen M. Violett’s drama. It was filmed for broadcast nationwide.
Michael Douglas was named Producer of the Year by the National Association of Theater Owners in 1984. After working on several films, he founded his own production company, Stonebridge Entertainment, Inc. He made several successful films, including Flatliners, The China Syndrome, and One Night at McCool’s.
As an actor, Douglas has portrayed presidents, heroes, and a variety of characters. During his career, he has received awards and nominations, including three Emmy Awards. Since his death in 2007, he has received a number of honors and awards, such as an AFI Lifetime Achievement Award and a Ploughshares Foundation award.
Flatliners (1984)
Michael Douglas’ performance in Flatliners (1984) remains one of the greatest accomplishments of his career. He played a young, innocent man who is brutalized by his military training.
The film has a hypnotic, dreamlike quality. It’s as much a success of atmosphere as it is of casting. There are a number of notable actors involved, including Kevin Bacon, Julia Roberts, and Keifer Sutherland.
In Flatliners, five medical students embark on a daring experiment that involves stopping their hearts for short periods of time. The results of their experiment have far reaching effects. This leads them to a resuscitation that reveals a traumatic childhood.
Flatliners is directed by Joel Schumacher and produced by Michael Douglas. Both helmed some of the most successful films of the 1980s. Using a script by Mike Gray, they set up a story that was both suspenseful and socially relevant.
Michael Douglas has had an active acting and producing career since the late 1970s. He has worked in both summer stock and off-Broadway productions. Some of his most prominent movies are Basic Instinct, Romancing the Stone, Fatal Attraction, and The War of the Roses.
His latest work is Wonder Boys, which received both critical and box office praise. This film was also nominated for an Oscar. Ultimately, it didn’t make it into the final ten films for best picture.
During his lifetime, Michael Douglas produced more than eighty movies, making him one of the most prolific producers of all time. Most of these projects are in the science fiction and thriller genres.
His next film, It Runs in the Family, starred his son Cameron. They were joined by his father Kirk. Several other major movies followed, including The Game, Traffic, and Solitary Man.
