All About Movie Stars

October 25, 2009

Filed under: Automotive — Tags: , , — admin @ 4:35 pm
Vicki Churchill asked:


Since movies were first screened cars has featured heavily in them.The Movie Bullitt released in 1968 starring Steve McQueen although probably not the first movie to feature a car chase was undoubtedly one of the original car movies of all time.

Audiences were stunned by the intense and dramatic footage of a Ford Mustang and Dodge Viper screaming through the streets of downtown San Francisco.

Many movies have featured dramatic car chase scenes. In 1971 The French Connection, a thriller about two NYC cops in the narcotics bureau starred Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider. The film featured a thrilling car chase through busy streets of which the film is ultimately remembered for.

You would be mistaken to think the only reason cars would ever feature in movies would be for the sole purpose of an exciting chase. You would of course be wrong as many films have not only included cars in them but the car itself has been the main star.

In 1964 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang a book by Ian Fleming was first published. The book was later made into classic movie with **** Van **** in the lead role but of course the real star of the movie was the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The movie was essentially for children but it is one of those films that are entertaining for the whole family.

In 1969 we saw three Mini’s weaving through the traffic jammed streets of Turin in the fabulous The Italian Job starring Michael Caine. The red white and blue Mini’s were without doubt the stars of the movie which was later remade in 2003 and starred Mark Wahlberg.

In 1983 John Carpenters Christine was released. This was a story of a possessed regenerating car hell bent on killing. Arnie Cunningham played by Keith Gordon finds a Plymouth Fury in need of restoration. As Arnie rebuilds Christine he begins to change himself transforming from shy and nerdy to over confident and arrogant.

Possibly one of the most enduring and lovable of all cars in the movies is Herbie. Sporting the number 53 Herbie a Volkswagen Beetle has made five movies dating back to 1969 with his latest outing recently in 2005 starring Lindsay Lohan. The comical exploits of Herbie have won many peoples hearts with the main plot lines being David and Goliath natured.

Today cars in movies are still big box office draws. Pixar have recently released a movie witch features only cars in the line up. The animated adventures of Lightning McQueen voiced by Owen Wilson are hilarious and not too be missed.

Whilst we still drive cars in our lives there is no doubt they will be in our movies for years to come.



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October 8, 2009

Filed under: Automotive — Tags: , , — admin @ 1:48 pm
Brenda Williams asked:


When Universal launched the Fast and the Furious series of street racing films, they only expected only a modest return. Although street racing was getting a lot of press attention and the popularity of modified imports were exploding, the movies was never expected to be a blockbuster.

However, the film was an unexpected summer hit. It grossed $40,089,015 on its opening weekend, surpassing the film’s $38 million budget. It may have been the media buzz and gear head buzz surrounding the movies that caused an explosion in the box office and gave global insight and curiosity into the supercharged social scene of racing and customizing cars.

Two of the films’ stars that caused the movies to thunder in the box office, were the Mazda RX7 and the Mitsubishi Eclipse. One of Japan’s largest automotive aftermarket companies, Veilside, built the Mazda RX7 that was later filmed in Fast and Furious to show off its “Fortune” wide-body kit at the 2005 Tokyo Auto Salon. At the time of the show, the car was painted red, and it had everything a show car should - an HKS T04Z single-turbo conversion kit, a massive intercooler shoved under the front bumper, big Rotora brakes, A’PEXi coil-over shocks and vast 19-inch Andrew Evo-V wheels inside P255/30ZR19 front and P305/25ZR19 rear Toyo Proxes radials.

For the Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift, the same Mazda RX7 was painted Sunset Orange Pearl and Veilside built three more visual clones, including one that was destined for destruction using a previous Mazda RX7 that had appeared in both previous Fast and Furious movies. One of the cars used in the previous Fast and Furious movie was Dominic Toretto’s red RX.

In the sequel to the Fast & Furious, 2 Fast, 2 Furious, the character Roman Pierce was given a new partner in his adventure, the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder with a Snyper Body Kit. The car was personally picked by John Singleton for Pierce to drive and the car came equipped with a Vortech Supercharger V5 G trim, HKS Blow valve, HKS AFR (fuel management controller), RC engineering 270cc injectors, Boost Variant Fuel Pressure Regulator with Gauge and a Magnecor 8.5mil Competition wires and a license plate that said “H8TER.”

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder had the most elaborate paint job of any of the cars built for any of the Fast & Furious movies. The patchwork design on the car were not graphics but painted on with House of Kolors paint. It was one of the few cars in the film that wasn’t destroyed although a total of four were made for the filming. It is rumored that the car exhaust was swapped with a Subaru WRX.

Like all cars in the Fast & Furious series, both cars were heavily reinforced with a roll cage for bridge jumping. Also there was so much neon lighting used in the cars that a technical specialist whose expertise was in shooting neon on film was kept on set at all times. This obviously cost a lot more and cut into the budget but it made the film authentic.



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September 11, 2009

Filed under: Automotive — Tags: , , — admin @ 12:43 pm
Anthony Fontanelle asked:


Audi’s new cars will shine like stars this summer? They are expected to hit the big screen as part of the automaker’s goal to market its brand as “high tech.”

“Audi’s R8 and A5 models will feature in next summer’s Iron Man movie in an attempt to build on the manufacturer’s vorsprung durch technik motto - which translates as progress through technology,” said a spokesman of the automaker.

The automaker, through the film, is expected to hit the upper market by showcasing cutting-edge innovations and lineup. The new breed of Audi vehicles is engineered to sport a not-so-usual features and equipment. They are not just equipped with the usual Audi brake hoses and other auto parts accessories but the most modern of the lot.

The Iron Man film stars Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. Commenting on the vehicles’ appearance in the film Audi’s chief marketing officer Scott Keogh told Brandweek the promotion would show drivers the true character of the cars.

“We have scenes where Audi absolutely fulfills the character and plays a role, especially the R8,” he said. He added that Robert Downey Jr’s character is an entrepreneur who builds his empire on technology and that this not only reflects the car’s status but gives Audi the perfect opportunity to show off both of their new models.

“It’s an adventure movie, which shows that what we want is not just for intellectual, in-the-know audience for our brand,” he concluded.

Iron Man, also known as Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark, is a fictional comic book superhero in the Marvel Comics universe who first appeared in a 1963 issue of Tales of Suspense. Since then, Iron Man has become one of the company’s most popular characters, Wikipedia divulged. The popular comic character was created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck and Jack Kirby.



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May 9, 2009

Everything Set for Transformers Premiere, Gm’s Stars Ready to Shine

Filed under: Automotive — Tags: , , — admin @ 1:54 am
Iver Penn asked:


In anticipation of the premier of the new Transformers movie that’s due out July 4th, Pontiac has already begun its promotion of the Solstice GXP roadster which appears in the movie. Aside from everything that’s going on now, the promotion is also holding a campaign through Maxim, a magazine geared towards men. By visiting the Maxim website, visitors can enter contests whose prizes include a Solstice GXP and a chance to accompany Transformers star Megan Fox to the movie’s premier.

And everyone seems to want to have their share of the Transformers craze too as the Piaggio — maker of the Vespa scooter — also has a new promotion running branding the Vespa as a “Transportation Transformer.”

Customers who will test drive a Vespa at a participating dealer during the Vespa National Open House on June 14-24 can get lucky and get a free movie ticket to see Transformers – which also happens to feature a cameo by Vespa. All customers need to do is to simply sign-up for Vespa updates online, print the confirmation email and coupon, then go to a participating dealer during the open house dates to test drive a Vespa and receive your Transformers movie ticket. Dealer hours and test vehicles vary, please contact your participating dealer for details.

Earlier this year, General Motors has introduced the four new movie stars - “Bumblebee,” “Autobot Jazz,” “Autobot Ratchet” and “Ironhide” as it hosted its sixth annual “ten” pre-Oscar fashion event at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood.

All starring in the much awaited DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures (in association with Hasbro) production, GM’s movie stars “Bumblebee” changes from the classic Chevrolet Camaro, and is a central character in the saga of aliens who take mechanical forms when on Earth “Autobot Jazz” converts from a Pontiac Solstice in a hardtop format. A Hummer H2, modified as a rescue vehicle, changes into “Autobot Ratchet” and “Ironhide” changes from a GMC TopKick medium-duty truck.

“Transformers is a compelling project and offers us a global platform for marketing GM products and building our brands,” said Mike Jackson, GM North America vice president, marketing and advertising. “It represents the perfect intersection of entertainment, marketing and design.”

Buzz about the roles that these vehicles play in the movie has been afire since the new Camaro was spotted in the film’s first Transformers trailer, which began appearing in theaters on Dec. 20, 2006.

“The first time I saw the new Camaro, while touring the GM Design Center, I knew immediately that it would be the perfect ‘Bumblebee,’” said Michael Bay, the film’s Director. He continued, “It’s got beautiful lines and a classic, timeless look. There were no other cars that came even close. I have had a great working relationship with GM for many years and am psyched to be working with them on Transformers.”

GM, maker of quality GMC lift kit, is now rolling a fully integrated marketing and promotional effort around the film, including a major Chevrolet promotion.

Images, scenes and clips - all things Transformers - may be found at the official Web site: www.transfomersmovie.com. Images of the four GM vehicles as they appear in Transformers are available online at media.gm.com.

About Transformers:

Our world will be transformed on July 4 when aliens make Earth their final battleground. As the forces of evil seek the key to ultimate power, our last chance for survival rests in the hands of young Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf). DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures present, in association with Hasbro, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom DeSanto and Don Murphy production of a Michael Bay Film, Transformers, starring Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson, Rachael Taylor, Megan Fox, with John Turturro and Jon Voight. Directed by Michael Bay from a story by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman and John Rogers and a screenplay by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman, the film is based on Hasbro’s Transformers™ Action Figures.



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March 10, 2009

Movies Dedicated to Cars

Filed under: Automotive — Tags: , , — admin @ 9:44 pm
Brenda Williams asked:


Movies dedicated to cars? Not so. How about movies with cars? That fits. Cars are so ingrained into American culture that they have become a sticking point in movies as well. So much that there have cars that have debuted in recent films. What are some of the more popular cars that have appeared in movies? Or, what are the more recognizable vehicles from movies?

Flashback to the early versions of the James Bond films, when Sean Connery played Bond, and many moviegoers remember his incredible car. The Aston Martin DB 5. It was riddled with all kinds of different gadgets to help him defeat his enemies. Now, flashback again to the 1960’s, when rock star Elvis Presley ruled the airwaves. Not only was he popular in the music industry, he was also a movie star. In almost all of Presley’s movies his 1955 pink Cadillac Fleetwood was featured in plenty of shots. That was the only car he kept until he passed away.

One of the most famous vehicles in all of TV and movies was the Batmobile. Owned and driven by Batman, it is one of the most popular vehicles in cinematic history. Many kids growing up had Batmobile hot wheels, replica toys and sometimes even a homemade Batmobile out of a wagon. The Batmobile has evolved over the years from the comics to the movies and has been redesigned when new Batman movies are released. Many replicas of the Batmobile are on display at theme parks across America to market the Batman ride.

Another famous car from the movie industry was named “Bullit” from the movie “Bullit.” The car was driven by Steve McQueen in one of the longest car chase scenes in movie history. The car was a Mustang Fastback and it instantly became one of the most popular makes and models in the automobile industry overnight. Fast cars were also made famous and popular in other movies from the ’60s and ’70s such as “Italian Job,” “Gone in 60 Seconds,” and “Grand Prix.” Movies in the modern era that feature fast cars are “Minority Report,” “The Fast and Furious,” and “I, Robot.” All of these movies prominently feature fast paced cars that Americans have grown to become fixated with.

The movie industry has helped the automobile industry grow throughout history. Some of the most famous scenes in film have happened in cars. Car chases have always been a popular part of the movies. They can be serious or comical, like the one in the movie “The Blues Brothers.” Probably one of the most comical movie scenes involving a car is from the movie ***** Gun. Actors O.J. Simpson and Leslie Nielsen, two of the cops in the movie, get stuck in their squad car when parked at a weird angle.

Movies have been a part of the American culture for decades and have coincided with the automobile. Where would movies be without cars in them? Cops would have to chase criminals on foot all of the time and that just wouldn’t be as exciting as a damaging car chase.



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December 29, 2008

4 Gm Vehicles, Stars of Transformers

Filed under: Automotive — Tags: , , — admin @ 3:43 am
Noah Scott asked:


General Motors has recently hosted its sixth annual “ten” pre-Oscar fashion event at Paramount Pictures in Hollywood with four new movie star guests namely Bumblebee™, Autobot Jazz®, Autobot Ratchet® and Ironhide® —creations of DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures in partnership with Hasbro’s forthcoming July 4th action-adventure release—Transformers™.

Bumblebee is the Transformer character that changes from the classic Chevrolet Camaro and one of the main characters in the chronicle of aliens who takes the mechanical forms when they are on earth. The Autobot Jazz converts from a Pontiac Solstice in a hardtop format while Autobot Ratchet takes the form of a Hummer H2 that looks like a modified rescue vehicle. Ironhide transforms to a GMC TopKick medium duty truck. All of these characters are casts of the live-action blockbuster “Transformers” which are to be shown this summer specifically on July 4.

News about the roles that the GM vehicles play in the movie has been spreading since the preview of new Camaro was seen in Paramount’s newest “Transformers” trailer which started appearing in theaters last Dec. 20, 2006. The movie trailer of the “Transformers” in Yahoo has become one of the most-viewed trailers and contains pictures of the GM vehicles that are included in the movie such as the H2, Solstice and GMC TopKick medium duty truck.

According to Mike Jackson, GM North America Vice President, Marketing and Advertising, “Transformers’ is a compelling project and offers us a global platform for marketing GM products and building brands. It represents the perfect intersection of entertainment, marketing and design.”

But why feature GM vehicles in Transformers? Here’s what Michael Bay, the film’s Director has to say, “The first time I saw the new Camaro, while touring the GM Design Center, I knew immediately that it would be a perfect Bumblebee. It’s got beautiful lines and a classic, timeless look. There were no other cars that came even close. I have has a great working relationship with GM for many years and am psyched to be working with them on Transformers.”

Gerry Rich, President of Worldwide Marketing at Paramount Pictures further added, “We are thrilled to be working with GM on this incredible and action-packed film. Having integrated the cars as characters in the film is truly an innovative concept that will make the movie into an important event to remember as part of the celebration of the 4th of July.”

The movie Transformers™ did not only showcased remarkable GM designs but also displayed the unparalleled quality of GM vehicles starting from its auto parts components and accessories like its lines of GM bumper covers up to its matchless road performance.



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December 17, 2008

Popular Cars of the Stars

Filed under: Automotive — Tags: , , — admin @ 8:41 pm
Richard Crittendon asked:


Owning a car advertised or owned by actors, sportspersons or celebrities, is a dream of every youngster. A star stepping out of their favorite cars like a limousine or a Mercedes is a very common scene. Whenever they have to attend special events, a luxurious car drops them at their venue; it makes them appear more glamorous.

The Top Players

The top player in the celebrity class car market, Mercedes Benz, has a classy look and brilliant performance to match that. Movie stars like Britney Spears drives the Mercedes SL500 while Jim Carrey loves to move around in a McLaren SLR.

The Stretch Limousine came into picture after the First World War. It was made in Forth Smith, Arkansas in the U.S. These stretch limos were used to transport the well known “big band” leaders like Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller along with their musical instruments, equipments and orchestras across the country. Due to this, the early stretch cars were also referred to as “big band buses”. The limos have extra amenities including the flat screen television, audio players, bars, video players, and sometimes, refrigerators too.

Cadillac Escalade

With the advent of the Cadillac Escalade, General motors started offering a luxurious Sport Utility Vehicle through their well-known Cadillac model. Owning the Cadillac Escalade is a status symbol. Movie stars and other celebrities like Paris Hilton own one in her collection. This model is also famous among the athletes. The former Chris Mills, Golden State Warrior player prefer the designing of this sports utility vehicle. This popular model is not only seen on roads, but also in commercials, music videos, and different movies.

Celebrity Love for Autos Is Famous

Celebrities confess that they love cars and driving. They also would like to spend considerable time as well as money in building up a large collection of cars in their personal garage. So, let us see some of the vehicles that are driven by the rich and the famous. The 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N400 is a gorgeous car and is the favorite of the very famous super spy, James Bond. This car first came into picture with the release of the movie Goldfinger, and it soon became James Bond’s company car.

Popular Movies Mean Popular Cars

In most of rock star Elvis Presley movies, his 1955 pink-colored Cadillac Fleetwood car was featured in a number of shots. This was the only car that he kept until he passed away. Another popular car in the movie industry was Bullet. This car was driven by Steve McQueen in the longest car chase scenes in the history of movies. Actors Leslie Nielson and O. J. Simpson in the movie ***** Gun get stuck in their squad cars that was parked at weird angle.

There are lot of names in the film industry, who owns special cars. Most of them rarely drive their cars, and even if they drive, they prefer broadways only to keep paparazzi off their cars.



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