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Director George Hickenlooper has passed away at age 47. Best known for directing the 1991 documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse--on the making of Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now--Hickenlooper was preparing for the release of Casino Jack. The Hickenlooper-directed drama stars Kevin Spacey as disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff. George was so excited to see the picture finds its way to release through ATO Pictures, after showing it at numerous festivals this year, and he was particularly proud of the performance turned in by Spacey. The film will open December 17 in New York and Los Angeles. His other films included Factory Girl and The Man From Elysian Fields.
Hickenlooper leaves behind wife, Suzanne, and a son, Charles. In a statement, Suzanne Hickenlooper said: "George was a loving father and provider. He had a great creative talent, a generous spirit, and loved life and people more than anyone I know. Charles and I will miss him very much."
Hickenlooper's cousin, John, who is currently running for Governor of Colorado, said: "Shock and sadness do not begin to describe our emotions. We are devastated. George had immense creative talents and cinematic gifts, but he was so much more than that to us and all his family. His passion for life, zeal for people and unquenchable curiosity enriched everyone who had the fortune to know him. Our hearts go out to his wife Suzanne, and his son Charles."
ATO's Jonathan Dorfman and Temple Fennell said: "On behalf of ATO Pictures, we are devastated by the loss of our friend and colleague, George Hickenlooper. Those who knew George can attest to his amazing talent and commitment to excellence. No one held a bar higher or had a bigger heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
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An amazing documentary, that 'Apocalypse Now' fly-on-the-wall. Some of the up close insights were priceless and unique.
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An amazing documentary, that 'Apocalypse Now' fly-on-the-wall. Some of the up close insights were priceless and unique.
And Brando swallowed a bug!
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Yesterday I saw Hickenlooper's last film, "Casino Jack," which will open on December 17. Kevin Spacey plays Jack Abramoff, the noted lobbyist who went to jail for the defrauding of American Indian tribes and corruption of public officials. (Abramoff served three and one half years of a six-year sentence in federal prison, and is now assigned to a halfway house. He is scheduled to be released on December 4, 2010.)
The film is a semi-comedic look at Abramoff's exploits, and skimps somewhat on providing a clear explanation of his crimes and his motivation (other than pure greed). But, then again, the film is supposed to be popular entertainment, not a documentary. Spacey gives an excellent performance as Abramoff, and Jon Lovitz has a great turn as a particularly sleazy businessman. The jaunty score is by Canadian composer Jonathan Goldsmith (the film was financed and partly shot in Canada), which may be his highest profile film to date.
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Just found out now that he died. He directed DOGTOWN in 1997, where he hired none other than Steve Stevens to do the score.
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