R.I.P. Bernardo Bertolucci (1941-2018)

Bernardo Bertolucci

On November 26, 2018, writer and director Bernardo Bertolucci died at the age of 77 in Rome, Italy. Over the course of his career he has been a big part of the Italian film movement with such projects as The Conformist, 1900, and The Dreamers. He also directed The Last Emperor, which also won Best Picture at the Oscars. Considering that he has been known to stick his political views into his films, his work has often been charged with undertones of social changes and a need to better society. He has also been a figure of controversy because of this, and he leaves behind a body of work that is audacious by nature. Whatever the case may be, his films speak for itself, leaving behind the portrait of a passionate artist and someone who wanted to make a difference.

Check This Out: Spielberg Shares Stories on Universal Studios Tour

Left to right: Anthony Breznican and Steven Spielberg

If you are a native to Southern California and you love movies, there's a good chance that you're familiar with the Universal Studios Theme Park, and specifically the studio tour that takes patrons around the back lot to various sets from the studio's long and expansive history. However, have you had the chance to do it while receiving personal anecdotes from highly acclaimed, Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg? Probably not. Entertainment Weekly's Anthony Breznican got the chance to go down memory lane with Spielberg, and the results give some personal stories from the man who made some of the 20th century's most iconic works, including his feelings on the missing boat from the Jaws exhibit, and the times that he met Alfred Hitchcock and Marlon Brando. Check out the video after the jump to see all of the excitement.

Nothing But the Best: "The Godfather" (1972)

Left to right: Al Pacino and Marlon Brando

Welcome to the series Nothing But the Best in which I chronicle all of the Academy Award Best Picture winners as they celebrate their anniversaries. Instead of going in chronological order, this series will be presented on each film's anniversary and will feature personal opinions as well as facts regarding its legacy and behind the scenes information. The goal is to create an in depth essay for each film while looking not only how the medium progressed, but how the film is integral to pop culture. In some cases, it will be easy. Others not so much. Without further ado, let's start the show.

Nothing But the Best: "On the Waterfront" (1954)

Scene from On the Waterfront

Welcome to the series Nothing But the Best in which I chronicle all of the Academy Award Best Picture winners as they celebrate their anniversaries. Instead of going in chronological order, this series will be presented on each film's anniversary and will feature personal opinions as well as facts regarding its legacy and behind the scenes information. The goal is to create an in depth essay for each film while looking not only how the medium progressed, but how the film is integral to pop culture. In some cases, it will be easy. Others not so much. Without further ado, let's start the show.

Check This Out: Upcoming Showtime Documentary "Listen to Me Marlon" to Follow Brando in His Own Words

Marlon Brando

To a generation, Marlon Brando was the greatest living actor. With a resume that includes everything from the defiant The Wild Ones to the political On the Waterfront and of course The Godfather, his work continues to be studied and admired. Yet what makes him an even more compelling artist is that his career wasn't as smooth sailing as some would believe. He turned his win for The Godfather for Best Supporting Actor into a political moment about the treatment of Indians. He became an activist as well as a conflicted voice of a generation. This is why it is interesting that coming next month to Showtime is a special biopic on the deceased actor - wait for it - in his own words called Listen to Me Marlon.

Birthday Take: Marlon Brando in "The Godfather" (1972)

Marlon Brando

Welcome to The Birthday Take, a column dedicated to celebrating Oscar nominees and winners' birthdays by paying tribute to the work that got them noticed. This isn't meant to be an exhaustive retrospective, but more of a highlight of one nominated work that makes them noteworthy. The column will run whenever there is a birthday and will hopefully give a dense exploration of the finest performances and techniques applied to film. So please join me as we blow out the candles and dig into the delicious substance.