R.I.P. Sean Connery (1930-2020)

Sean Connery

On October 31, 2020, actor Sean Connery passed away at the age of 90. Over a storied career that saw him move from bodybuilding to sports and later acting, he proved to be one of the most successful Scottish actors in history. Among his most noteworthy accomplishments was originating the role of James Bond, launching one of the most successful film franchises in history. He also starred in films like The Man Who Would Be King as well as won an Oscar for his role in The Untouchable. It was a career of continual highs that always brought out the most charismatic turns, and his work more than speaks for itself. He will be missed for everything he has gave the world, and it's better off for having him if just for a short time.

R.I.P. Rip Torn (1931-2019)

Rip Torn

On July 9, 2019, an actor of stage and screen Rip Torn passed away at the age of 88 in Lakeview, Connecticut. Among his most noteworthy credits was being a character actor known for his curmudgeon roles in films like Defending Your Life, Men in Black, and Dodgeball. He has also appeared on TV in series like The Larry Sanders Show and was in the original production of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth. He leaves behind an impressive career spanning almost 60 years and so many memorable roles. With so many career highs, he will be missed for making the world of film, TV, and theater a lot more interesting and far less conventional than it was before.

R.I.P. Doris Day (1922-2019)

Doris Day

On May 13, 2019, actress and singer Doris Day passed away at the age of 97 in Carmel Valley Village, California. Over the course of an extensive career, she recorded over 650 songs and starred in such iconic movies as Pillow Talk and Calamity Jane. While she only received one Oscar for acting, many of her biggest hits would win Best Original Song awards, including "Que Sera Sera" (from The Man Who Knew Too Much) and "Secret Love" (from Calamity Jane). She leaves behind a massive body of work both on screen and in various recordings, including several major awards distinctions that have yet to be met. With almost a century of talent to her name, she leaves behind a career that's hard to ignore and work that shows just how talented she always was.

R.I.P. Martin Landau (1928-2017)

Martin Landau

On July 15, 2017, actor Martin Landau died at the age of 89 in Los Angeles, California. He is an actor whose career spanned 60 years and featured great work both in film and TV. On the small screen, he received a Golden Globe for his performance in Mission: Impossible as Rollin Hand. On the big screen, his career was even more expansive and featured roles that varied from a supporting role in North by Northwest and Cleopatra to Oscar nominations for Crimes and Misdemeanors and Ed Wood (the latter of which he won for). No matter where he went, he brought a charisma that reflected his graceful acting style, of which he also taught in the Actors Studio (of which he was the head of the Hollywood branch until his passing). He left behind an impressive body of work, and one that is unmatched by anyone.

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.

R.I.P. Maureen O'Hara (1920-2015)

Left to right: Maureen O'Hara and Walter Pidgeon in How Green Was My Valley

On October 24, 2014, actress Maureen O'Hara passed away at the age of 95 from natural causes while in her sleep. The actress was best known for being a fierce and confident redhead who worked alongside such great directors as John Ford and Alfred Hitchcock. Over the years, she starred in films ranging from westerns to holiday movies such as the iconic Miracle on 34th Street. While she doesn't have the most prolific legacy in her later years, she is nonetheless one of the most iconic actresses of the Golden Era of Hollywood - serving as one of the finest performers of her time as well as one of the best Irish actresses in film history.

Freaky Friday: "Psycho" (1960)

Janet Leigh in Psycho

The season is upon us, and it's time to get in the mood for Halloween. Every Friday in October, The Oscar Buzz will be highlighting the films that The Academy recognized that likely chilled you to your bone. While there have been several genres more prevalent than horror, there's been a fair share that have popped up and proven themselves among the more prestigious competition. What is it about these films that stand out? Are they just scary, or is there something more to their charm? Join in the journey of recognizing the award nominated scares that you may or may not have known about.

Birthday Take: Alfred Hitchcock in "Psycho" (1960)

Janet Leigh in Psycho

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.

R.I.P. Julie Harris (1921-2015)

Julie Harris

When it comes to the look of the film, very few people notice how hard it is to design the wardrobe. Whether it is the simple use of a shirt and jacket combination or a period piece costume with elegant sequins, there's something important about putting effort into it. It creates iconography and makes a story more interesting visually. Among the costume designers who have made an impact is Julie Harris, who passed away today at the age of 94 in London, England. With a career spanning 50 years, she was responsible for a lot of the iconic looks ranging from A Hard Day's Night to The Great Muppet Caper. Her work continues to stand the test of time with their magnificence and beauty.

Nothing But the Best: "Rebecca" (1940)

Left to right: Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier

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.

The Directors Project: #21 - Alfred Hitchcock

Scene from Cinema Paradiso

With the many lists and essays written on the subject of film, there has been one thing that The Oscar Buzz has tried to understand: Who is my favorite of the film world? For 10 weeks this summer, I will be exploring this with a countdown of the Top 50 names based on a numerical ranking of ratings from various sources, the following is a list of directors who rank above everyone else. With occasional upsets, this is intended as both a discussion opener as well as a better understanding of me as a film critic and fan. Please enjoy and leave any comments you have regarding the entry's selection.