A Reel 100: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

​

“If I am the Phantom, it is because man’s hatred has made me so.”

This month marks the 100^th anniversary of the 1925 silent film version of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. 

Directed by Rupert Julian and based upon the 1910 novel of the same name by Gaston Leroux, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA told the tale of a deformed phantom who haunted the Paris Opera House, causing chaos to turn the woman he loved into a star. 

The phantom began its ascent in 1922, when Carl Laemmie, the president of Universal Pictures, visited Paris and met author Gaston Leroux. Taken by the story and the grandeur of the Paris Opera House, Laemmie secured the film rights as a vehicle for actor Lon Chaney. A French art director who had worked at the Opera House was brought on to design the lavish sets. Chaney was allowed to do his own makeup. 

Production began at Universal Studios in 1924. After a troubled shoot where Chaney and the rest of the cast had strained relations with director Rupert Julian, the film was completed and then went through several re-edits and reshoots. Chaney’s look was kept a secret until after the premier. 

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA premiered in September of 1925 in New York ahead of its wide release in November. Critical response was mostly positive, with high praise for the production and Chaney’s makeup, which reportedly had audience members fainting. Today it is considered to be one of the greatest horror films of all time, and in 1998 was added to the United States Film Registry. 

*

Years before Andrew Lloyd Webber would take the Phantom to Broadway, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA had a legacy of one of early cinema’s most iconic works of horror. Lon Chaney’s transformative makeup and performance set new standards for character creation and sympathetic monsters. The impressive sets and dramatic chandelier crash helped usher in grand-scale productions in Hollywood’s silent era and overall would cement the story in our culture; inspiring countless versions on film…and on stage. 100 years later it is a cornerstone of horror, and a landmark in silent filmmaking. 

“If I shall be saved, it will be because your love redeems me.”

A Reel 20: HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE

“Soon we must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” 

 

This month marks the 20^th anniversary of HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE. 

 

Directed by Mike Newell and based on the fourth book of the same name in the series by J.K. Rowling, GOBLET OF FIRE followed Harry in his fourth year at Hogwarts, as he is mysteriously chosen to compete in the famed and dangerous Triwizard Tournament. 

 

Arriving the year after the successful and heralded third film, THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, GOBLET OF FIRE went through several directors before production. Chris Columbus, who had helmed the first two films, was on board before deciding to spend more time with his family. M. Night Shyamalan was approached but passed. The task eventually went to Mike Newell, who was known for his award-winning drama FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (1994), and the mob drama DONNIE BRASCO (1997). 

 

Filming began in May of 2004 in England, with the ensemble cast returning: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Timothy Spall, and Alan Rickman. Newcomers included Robert Pattinson, Brenden Gleeson, David Tennant, and Ralph Fiennes in his stunning debut as the evil Lord Voldemort. Music was composed by Patrick Doyle. 

 

On release, GOBLET OF FIRE was met with good reviews and was a box office hit, finishing as the highest grossing film of the year. At the 78^th Academy Awards it was nominated for Best Art Direction. It won the BAFTA Award for Best Production Design, making it the first film in the series to win a BAFTA. 

 

*

 

Although THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN went into some dark places, GOBLET OF FIRE marked a point of no return for the series. As the characters aged, the film naturally blended adolescence with the rise of a real danger. The Triwizard Tournament showed great spectacle (the dragon fight still impresses), and Voldemort’s long-awaited chilling debut elevates the stakes. 

 

For this blogger, GOBLET OF FIRE is his personal favorite of the series. The maturity of the characters, the dazzling tournament, and character conflicts give the film a weight. But most of all, the heartbreaking scene of Cedric Diggory’s father mourning his dead child is an emotional high point that the franchise never matched again. It was the first time we had seen a significant death on-screen, and it was a hint of what was yet to come. 

 

“He’s back!”

 

 

A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2025 - Episode XI

The colder months of November are traditionally where things heat up on the big screen, when awards hopefuls start to roll out. Here are the notable releases coming to theaters in the second-to-last month of 2025. 

 

 

CHRISTY – Sydney Sweeney (ANYONE BUT YOU), plays professional boxer Christy Martin in this biopic drama. Ben Foster co-stars, and it is directed by David Michod (ANIMAL KINGDOM). 

 

 

DIE MY LOVE – In this black comedy, a young couple and new parents struggle with psychological distress and isolation. The cast includes Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, LaKeith Stanfield, Nick Nolte, and Sissy Spacek. 

 

 

NUREMBERG – Set during the Nuremberg trials, a psychiatrist (Rami Malek), is tasked with determining if a Nazi (Russel Crowe), is fit to stand trial. John Slattery, Colin Hanks (son of Tom), Michael Shannon, and Richard E. Grant co-star.

 

 

PREDATOR: BADLANDS – In this ninth installment of the PREDATOR franchise that launched in 1987, a young Predator is sent to a remote planet in search of the ultimate adversary. Elle Fanning stars. It is directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who helmed the most-excellent PREDATOR spin-off PREY in 2022. 

 

 

NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T – The third installment in the NOW YOU SEE ME heist series. This time the Four Horsemen (Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher), reunite to steal a large diamond. Morgan Freeman and Rosamund Pike co-star. 

 

 

THE RUNNING MAN – Edgar Wright (BABY DRIVER), directs this new adaptation of the 1982 Stephen King novel. Set in the near future, a working-class man enters a deadly game to save his sick daughter. The cast includes Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, William H. Macy, and Emilia Jones (CODA). 

 

 

WICKED: FOR GOOD – The second part and conclusion to the adaptation of the Broadway musical, which began last year with the smash-hit WICKED. Set in the Land of Oz before and during the arrival of Dorothy, Elphaba and Glinda embrace their new identities as the Wicked Witch and Glinda the Good. The cast includes Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Jonathan Baily. Jon M. Chu directs. 

 

 

ZOOTOPIA 2 – This sequel to the Disney hit has Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde going undercover to solve a case involving a mysterious pit viper. The voice-cast includes Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, and Ke Huy Quan. 

 

 

WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY – Rian Johnson returns to helm this third entry in the KNIVES OUT whodunit film series, this time with Detective Blanc (Daniel Craig), taking on a new case involving a priest and his congregation. The ensemble cast includes Josh O’Connor, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeney, Thomas Haden Church, and Jeffrey Wright. 

 

*

 

Next month, Reel Speak previews the final month of 2025.