The Aviator (2004): Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio and Howard Hughes

     Directed by Martin Scorsese, The Aviator (2004) gives a sweeping look at the life of filmmaker and aviator, Howard Hughes, from his playboy days in the 1920's to his unraveling with obsessive-compulsive disorder in the 1940's. Full of bravado and true to the look of the period, Scorsese shot the film in a style that emulated the color schemes of early cinema. The art direction team did an amazing job recreating the era, and won the Academy Award for their work. The cast is great, including Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes, Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn, Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner, Jude Law as Errol Flynn, Gwen Stefani as Jean Harlow, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, Willem Dafoe and Ian Holm. Father and son musicians, Loudon Wainwright III and Rufus Wainwright, appear separately as lounge singers.

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese: Leonardo DiCaprio

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese: Leonardo DiCaprio

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese: Leonardo DiCaprio and Gwen Stefani

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese: Cate Blanchett

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese: Leonardo DiCaprio

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese: Leonardo DiCaprio

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese: Leonardo DiCaprio

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese: Leonardo DiCaprio

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese: Kate Beckinsale

The Aviator. 2004. Martin Scorsese: Leonardo DiCaprio

The Outlaw (1943): Jane Russell and Howard Hughes

     Shot in 1941, The Outlaw wasn't allowed to be shown in theaters until 1943. Even then, it was pulled shortly after it's release, banned, and was not given a decent chance with audiences until after WWII in 1946. What was the problem? The hangup? The reason to be bashful?... quite simply... Breasts! Howard Hughes' apparent fascination with Jane Russell's chest drove the censors crazy. It may seem trivial now, but in the early 1940s, such things were very taboo. The Outlaw is often cited as an example in discussions on the dangers of censorship, and, if for no other reason than that, it has earned a well deserved place in film history.

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

     Doc Holliday has come to Lincoln, NM is search of his stolen horse. It is soon learned that the thief is none other than Billy the Kid. In a showing of mutual respect, the two become friends (but argue over the ownership of the horse throughout the film). When Billy is shot and wounded by Pat Garrett, Doc takes Billy to his ranch to recuperate. Doc's beautiful girlfriend, Rio, played by Jane Russell,  provides medical care for the wounded Billy despite her hatred for him.

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

     While Doc is away, the nurse/patient relationship quickly becomes a love affair.

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

     Upon hearing of the betrayal, Doc is not pleased. The rest of the film carries the characters through a psychological maelstrom as they try to elude Pat Garrett and try to come to terms of trust amongst each other...

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw (1943): Jane Russell and Howard Hughes

Jane Russell in "The Outlaw" 

     Shot in 1941, The Outlaw wasn't allowed to be shown in theaters until 1943. Even then, it was pulled shortly after it's release, banned, and was not given a decent chance with audiences until after WWII in 1946. What was the problem? The hangup? The reason to be bashful?... quite simply... Breasts! Howard Hughes' apparent fascination with Jane Russell's chest drove the censors crazy. It may seem trivial now, but in the early 1940s, such things were very taboo. The Outlaw is often cited as an example in discussions on the dangers of censorship, and, if for no other reason than that, it has earned a well deserved place in film history.

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

Jessica Alba as Jane Russell in "The Outlaw"

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

The Outlaw. 1943. Howard Hughes: Jane Russell

F for Fake (1973): Orson Welles and Art Forgery

F for Fake (1973)

Brief Review by Travis Simpkins

     Written and directed by Orson Welles, F for Fake (1973) was his final completed film. The pseudo-documentary focuses on the nature of forgeries and illusions. A unique effort, it has been described as a "Film Essay." The movie features noted Art forger Elmyr de Hory, who claimed to have hundreds of his work unwittingly hanging in museums, and specialized in faking the works of Matisse, Picasso and Modigliani.  Howard Hughes hoax biographer Clifford Irving appears as well. Orson Welles, himself famous for the radio "War of the Worlds" broadcast hoax, serves as an excellent guide. Oja Kodar, Welles' sexy girlfriend, appears in her own fake vignette involving Pablo Picasso. Joseph Cotten appears briefly as well.

Orson Welles: F for Fake

Elmyr de Hory: F for Fake

Clifford Irving: F for Fake

: F for Fake

Elmyr de Hory: F for Fake

Orson Welles: F for Fake

Elmyr de Hory paints a Matisse: F for Fake

Clifford Irving: F for Fake

Orson Welles: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

Oja Kodar: F for Fake

"F for Fake"- movie trailer