R.I.P Tony Scott (1944 - 2012)
Tony Scott was not as critically acclaimed as his brother Ridley. He was never nominated for an Oscar and he wasn't as critically lauded. But his films were loved by audiences. They packed out cinemas. They made people happy.
He was known for his action and thrilled films, for kinetic exciting cinematography, for the energency and frenetic tone of his films. He liked to avoid CGI and do things for real.
To most people, he'll be best known for Top Gun - the film that launched Tom Cruise in a big way and that is now seen by many as a hugely enjoyable guilty pleasure, as 'dumb fun.' A lot of people can enjoy it unironically too though. I remember watching it for the first time at a sleepover when I was about twelve. It was the first time I ever saw anyone French-kissing and I remember thinking 'urgh' lol. Funny what things stick in the mind. It made a lot of money. I remember my brother watching it a few years ago on TV and just laughing and loving it. It was a gift of a film really, to entertain so many people and to still do so all these years later.
I wrote an article on his film Man On Fire, which was a really good film to me. So tense with a really awesome performance by Denzel Washington. It really had me sat on the edge of my seat and sweating, not sure how it would end. Any film that rivets me gets my approval.
Click to viewThe lively and wonderful YouTube news channel reports Tony Scott's death.
Along with brother Ridley, he was co-producer of the USA procedural show Numb3rs which I absolutely adore and still love to this day. Their names were the first to come up in the end credits and it always made me smile to see them. I'd think 'thanks Ridley and Tony, I really enjoyed that.'
He was known for wearing his faded red baseball cap, even on the red carpet. He was known for drawing caricatures of himself smoking a cigar at the end of notes that he wrote to people,
He gave so much, he directed so many loved films and produced so much. He had so much more left to give, I think. The fact that we'll see no more new Tony Scott films deeply saddens me.
It's reported that he had been diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. He left a note in his office and one in his car. He jumped off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in LA, California. His death is reported as a suicide.
Christian Slater, who starred in the much lauded film True Romance that was directed by Tony Scott, simply tweeted this today:
Love ya Tony. Always have, always will.
Thank you for everything, Tony.
His obituary in The Guardian
Empire Magazine look at each of his films and what Tony Scott had to say about each one of them.
SFX Magazine announces his death.
The tributes to Tony Scott left by fellow directors and actors