STACK #244 February 2025

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JON M. CHU

Jon M. Chu, the visionary filmmaker behind fan favourites Crazy Rich Asians , In the Heights , and his most lavish production yet, Wicked , is renowned for his culturally diverse and visually rich cinematic style. With Wicked hitting physical media this month and news of him being attached to a new Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat adaptation, let’s explore some of his signature filmmaking trademarks. Vibrant visuals Combining awe-inspiring set designs with lavish costume designs and intricate choreography, Chu’s distinct visual style is unmistakable and making him one of Hollywood’s most sought-after creators. Musical integration Long before finding the Yellow Brick Road, Chu made many music videos and films like Step Up 2 , Jem and the Holograms, and two Justin Beiber documentaries. His feel and ability to infuse music with storytelling has become his strongest hallmark. Cultural representation Best exemplified in Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights , Chu’s films showcase cultural diversity, offering authentic representation and highlighting cultural identity. This has allowed him to connect with a wide audience throughout the world. Clint Eastwood’s production company, Malpaso Productions, was named after a warning from his agent. Malpaso means “misstep” or “bad step” in Spanish, reflecting his agent’s belief that taking the now-iconic role of The Man with No Name in Sergio Leone’s A Fistful of Dollars would be a career mistake. Instead, the trilogy made Eastwood a star and the rest is history. The company’s latest film, Juror #2 , arrives on February 12. IN DEVELOPMENT FUN FACT

FEBRUARY

which impacted me and made me love film. Movies are one of the reasons why I started working at JB - I love talking to people about movies. What’s one of your all-time favourite films, and why? I honestly have too many to just choose one, but in the last year, I really loved The Substance . I thought it was a really fantastic and fresh addition to the horror genre which is my favourite genre. It’s definitely one to watch if body horror is your thing. What’s one of your all-time favourite TV series, and why? My favourite comedy series is probably It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia . I’ve watched the series many times. It always makes me laugh, and I go back to it when I want something silly to watch. What have you been watching lately that you’d recommend? This time of year I like to catch up on movies that have a lot of award buzz, A Different Man and Anora are two I would really recommend. Both have really great leading and supporting performances.

’ s ROVING REPORTER

VIOLET SCERRI @ JB Home Tuggeranong, ACT

What’s the best thing about working at JB? I get to work around a lot of things I love. I’ve also had the chance to meet some really great people here, who I am glad to call my friends. What’s a movie you saw as a child that has left a lasting impression on you? My mum showed me Pulp Fiction quite young,

QUIZ

Q3 In the Disney film The Lady and the Tramp, which breed of dog is Lady? Q4 Which actor was given his first starring role in the 1958 horror movie The Blob ? Q5 Which Steven Spielberg film has deliberately desaturated colour? Q6 This 1956 sci-fi movie was loosely based on William Shakespeare’s The Tempest . Title please. Q7 Which role became more graphic in the

Robert De Niro? Q8 “This is the west sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend” is a famous line from which John Ford western? Q9 Which eventually famous movie star had a small uncredited part playing a newspaper reporter at the end of the 1941 classic movie Citizen Kane ? Q10 “Why don’t we just wait here... for a little while... see what happens?” is the closing line from which classic 1982 horror movie?

With Nosferatu hitting physical media next month, director Robert Eggers is reportedly eyeing his next project, set in the world of The Labyrinth . The visionary behind The Witch , The Lighthouse , and The Northman plans to craft an all-new story rather than a remake. Jim Henson’s 1986 fantasy

Q1 Who were the first brothers to receive Oscar nominations for ‘Best Actor’? Q2 Which American who grew up in Australia won two Oscars making a film about a Scotsman that was shot in Ireland?

30 years between the performances of both Robert Mitchum and

film, starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, struggled at the box office but became a cult favourite. Several attempts to revive The Labyrinth , including one by Alien: Romulus filmmaker Fede Álvarez, have also failed, but Eggers’ take could finally bring the beloved world back to life.

JANUARY 2025 (Issue 243) ANSWERS - A1. The Godfather Part II A2. Viggo Mortensen - such was his scream of real pain that director Peter Jackson kept the scene in the final cut. A3. Mary Poppins A4. Edith Head won eight Oscars for costume design - in fact she received 35 Oscar nominations A5. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) A6. Wes Craven’s The Last House on the Left A7. The Bells of St Mary’s (1945) A8. The Artist (2011) A9. She provided the singing vocals for all three leading ladies in The King and I, West Side Story, and My Fair Lady A10. Goodfellas (1990)

20 FEBRUARY 2025

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